It's a Wrap, #SeriousSandwich

Olive salad. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

This is the finale of Emeril's #SeriousSandwich posts, and like the grand finale of the 4th of July fireworks, it ends with a booming blizzard of color. I've assembled pictures of all my sandwiches, and in a few days, when I have some spare time, I'll link back to the posts.

I want to say a big "Thank You" to Emeril Lagasse for creating such an exciting cookbook and for all the tweets, retweets, shares and pins. It sure does make your day when Emeril singles out your blog for a comment! And I really appreciate your taking time to answer my questions, especially offering your advice for young people considering the culinary profession.

Thanks to Tavia from Morrow Cookbooks for reading my stories and for choosing my blog to participate in the blogalong. This has been a learning experience for me, and a much-needed creative boost.

And speaking of education, thanks go out to Steven Freeman, the photographer for "Emeril's Kicked-Up Sandwiches," who talked with me about the cookbook shoot and offered constructive criticism of my pictures. (Just looking at my pictures here, from beginning to end, I can see a difference in how I approach the shot. I hope the results show!). 

Thanks to Kamili Hemphill of Emeril's culinary team, for writing such inspiring words about the creative process of cookbook production, recipe writing, and cooking in general. 

Thanks go out to my fellow #SeriousSandwich bloggers ~ I've had a great time exploring your blogs and making new friends.

Naan with cilantro-mint chutney. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

 

New style caldo verde and Eggplant Muffuletta. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Cheddar and green onion biscuits. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Egg salad supreme. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Smoked sausage sandwich with beer-braised onions. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Caprese. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Calzones. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

How to photograph sandwiches. Photo by Steven Freeman

Breakfast burrito with avocado crema. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

The Elvis. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Grilled smoky pimento cheese. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Chocolate wafers with peanut butter fudge. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

Almond Poppy Seed cake with lemon Neufchatel. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

As for what's next, I need to tell a little story. In the second week of the blogalong, my family spent a few days in Orange Beach, Alabama, with incomparably beautiful weather (and an iffy wi-fi connection). One afternoon, I went out shopping, and as I usually do, I ended up in a bookstore where I bought a copy of Emeril's "There's a Chef in My World" for my seven year-old. 

When I gave Lindsey Lou the book, she read completely through it and remarked on each recipe. She bookmarked a few, like the German Apple Pancake, and the Egg Drop Soup. When she finished reading through the cookbook, she looked at the cover, then she found the copy of "Emeril's Kicked-Up Sandwiches," and said that something looked familiar. I explained to her that the same chef wrote both books and his name was Emeril. She hugged both books to her chest and said,

"I just love Emerald." 

We're just getting started on "There's a Chef in My World," ~ here's the German Apple Pancake, which was easy, fun and delicious. Thanks, Chef!

Emeril's German Apple Pancake. Lucy Mercer/A Cook and Her Books

You may also want to visit my fellow #SeriousSandwich bloggers, all 21 of them:

• 30A EATS
• Farmgirl Gourmet
• Food Hunter’s Guide
• Between Slices
• Big Dew the Firehouse Chef
• Chef R3llik
• Cooking in Stilettos
• Culicurious
• Family Foodie
• Kwistin’s Favorites
• Mangoes and Chutney
• Mario Cooks
• Maroc Mama
• My Cup of Creativitea
• My Royal Kitchen
• Pages Stuck Together
• Peanut Butter and Peppers
• Poet in the Pantry
• Rhubarb and Honey
• Solid Gold Eats

It's been an absolute pleasure reading these new-to-me blogs and cooking through Emeril's new cookbook!

Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed on this blog are mine, based upon my personal experience. Morrow Cookbooks provided me with a Cookalong Kit including an advance copy of  "Emeril’s Kicked-Up Sandwiches." In addition, upon completion of the #SeriousSandwich cookalong, all participants will receive a small grocery reimbursement and a complete library of Emeril's cookbooks.

This post is part of #SeriousSandwich, a blogalong sponsored by Morrow Books,
marking the publication of

Emeril’s Kicked-Up Sandwiches (Morrow, $24.99)

If you love cookbooks like I do, you gotta follow The Secret Ingredient Blog from Morrow Books.

Text and images copyright 2012, Lucy Mercer,

with the exception of the book cover; that belongs to Morrow Books, 

and Steven Freeman's photo from "How to Photograph Sandwiches."