There are few foods that I enjoy more on a chilly autumn evening than grilled cheese and tomato soup.  The best part about it all is that it is also very economical to make.  Even those that are completely inept in the kitchen can combine these limited ingredients and simple instructions on how to make a great chilled cheese.

Ingredients

2 slices Cheddar, American, or Swiss cheese
2 slices white bread
2 tablespoons butter

Directions

Put the cheese between the slices of bread. Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a skillet or grill and when melted add the sandwich. Gently press down with a spatula once or twice during the grilling. When one side is golden, add the remaining tablespoon of butter, turn the sandwich over, and brown.

For tomato soup just heat using the instructions on the can of whichever brand you decide to use

Although I must admit I am not a huge egg salad fan, my girlfriend does make some great sandwiches. Eggs are routinely among the cheapest main ingredients you can find at your grocery store. Here is a quick little recipe that will show you how to spruce them up just enough to make anyone enjoy your egg salad sandwiches.

Ingredients

• 8 hard-cooked eggs, diced
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup minced onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dill weed
• 8 slices white bread

Directions

1. In a bowl, gently mix the eggs, mayonnaise, onion , salt, mustard powder, garlic powder, pepper, and dill. Cover, and refrigerate 8 hours, or overnight. To serve, spread equal amounts on 4 slices bread; top with remaining bread slices to make sandwiches.

Where I live (on the east coast), one of the cheaper main ingredients one can buy is sausage.  I can go to the store almost any week and get Italian sausage for 1.99 per pound.  All I need is a bag of rolls a large can of tomatoes, a couple of peppers, onion, garlic and olive oil and I have enough hot sausage and pepper sandwiches to feed the family (and pack a lunch) for about 12 dollars.  The best part is although they look complex they are actually extremely easy to make and delicious.

Ingredients

2 large onions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
4 assorted bell peppers such as red, green, and orange, cut into thin strips
4 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced (or use the stuff that comes in the jar)
1 large (28oz.) can of peeled and crushed plum tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper and salt
2 lb Italian sausage (hot or sweet) links
1 bag of sandwich rolls

Directions

1. In large skillet  pan fry the sausages until cooked through (
2. remove sausage from pan
3. saute peppers until soft
4. add onion and garlic
5. add tomatoes
6. season with salt and pepper and continue cooking
7. add sausages to mixture and allow to cook covered on low

Since the sausages are already cooked be sure to keep the stove as low as possible since the only purpose of this is for the flavors to fully mingle.  When ready just get your rolls and assemble your sandwiches.  I usually have a salad with mine but you can have whatever you want or nothing else at all.

Here is another example of a quick and simple sandwich idea that can be used for a dinner.  Though it is slightly more complex than a normal run of the mill tuna melt it isn’t that much more expensive to make since  the only things that I don’t regularly stock in my kitchen are dill pickles and balsamic vinegar.  In any case it is both cheap and simple which are two things we love.

Ingredients:

• 1 (6 ounce) can tuna, drained and flaked
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 2 slices whole wheat bread
• 2 teaspoons chopped dill pickle
• 1/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bread slices in the oven to toast while it preheats, and while you make the tuna salad.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the tuna, mayonnaise, salt, balsamic vinegar, mustard and dill pickle until well blended. Remove bread from the oven, and pile the tuna mixture onto one slice. Sprinkle cheese over the other slice of bread.
3. Bake for 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is melted and tuna is heated through. Place the cheese side of the sandwich on top of the tuna side. Cut in half and serve immediately.