Though I'm sad to say good-bye to summer, I don't have it nearly as bad as anyone who finds themselves packing their backpack, collecting their school supplies, and heading back to school this week. There were few things as tough as exchanging long days at the beach and daily trips to the ice cream stand for early mornings, homework, exams, and in my case, gym class (shudder). That being said, if there was one thing that made back-to-school a bit easier, it was lunchtime at Our Lady of Mercy School (grades K-6,) or rather an hour to spend with my closest friends (Meredith, Ashley, Kaitlin O., Caitlin T., and my sister). It was 60 minutes in which we would would gossip about whether Steven Salvatore and Emily Squillante liked each other (they totally did), compare lip glosses, and swap whatever our moms packed in our lunchboxes.

We all brought different things, the most coveted items being Oreos, my mom's homemade Blondies, and Girl Scout Cookies, the least desirable items being apples, carrot sticks, or bananas that turned brown from the inevitable tossing and turning of your backpack. Occasionally, we would eat the hot lunch provided by the school -- Hot Dog Tuesdays, Pasta Wednesdays, Pizza Thursdays. For a short time, there were even McDonalds Mondays (really!) All this would be washed down with a paper carton of milk from the school lunch lady.

Lunchtime has since evolved, of course. To start, our moms don't pack our lunchboxes for us anymore, and if I had to guess, I'd say that our taste buds have matured a bit as well. If you too have outgrown peanut butter sandwiches, cheese sticks, and school-cafeteria food, let me introduce you to this sophisticated Prosciutto, Green Apple, and Brie Sandwich, mighty enough to shake up your lunch hour in the best of ways. With its layers of salty rich prosciutto, creamy brie cheese, crisp tart apple, and tangy mustard, all held together by a crunchy-on-the-outside-fluffy-on-the-inside baguette, it is not surprisingly one of my very favorite lunches. And, sandwich being a sandwich, this is super simple and quick to make -- it's probably the easiest thing I've ever posted -- while still managing to be fancy and elegant, your average ham and cheese sandwich all dressed up and ready to go to the ball (or to the office, or even your next picnic). Gnam.

A couple of notes: The quantities listed below are just suggestions -- you can change them up as you want, depending on your own tastes and how you like your sandwich (I personally like to go heavy on the green apple here). I really like honey mustard with this sandwich as well. Prosciutto cotto (ham) instead of the prosciutto crudo would also be delicious. Feel free to use any other kind of bread you like. If you have a panini press (mine is at home in RI!) this sandwich is also delicious when grilled and served hot.

Living in Rome and now in the mood for a sandwich? Check out my picks for The Best Sandwiches in Rome.
Looking for more recipes for burgers and sandwiches? Click here.

PROSCIUTTO, BRIE, GREEN APPLE SANDWICHES

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Ingredients:
1 baguette (about 250 grams)
1 Granny Smith apple
4 ounces prosciutto
4 ounces brie
4 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Directions:
Cut the baguette into four equal pieces, and then cut those pieces in half. Thinly slice the apple and then the cheese. Build each sandwich, putting first the mustard, then the prosciutto, then the cheese, then the apple. Close the sandwiches, pressing down lightly to make sure all the ingredients stay together. Enjoy.