KISS! Now, before you accuse me of getting cheeky, that’s not quite what I mean. Today’s post is about the K.I.S.S. principle, an acronym for “Keep It Simple, Stupid!” For the sake of kindness, I often replace “Stupid” with “Silly,” but the basic idea behind the phrase remains the same: most things work best when they are kept simple rather than complicated. My dad, an Air Force man, taught me about it; he used to apply it to good business, or businesses that were successful, but I can think of many ways in life where it applies. Can you?

Macaroni and cheese, for example. Its deliciousness lies in its utter, classic simplicity. Add an ingredient like broccoli to it, sure, but who really craves wasabi-green tea-ham-truffle-oil-lobster mac and cheese? Exactly no one, that’s who, unless you care to ask one of those crazy television food personalities, and they’d eat just about anything-anything- for ratings. So, sometimes it’s the simple things, the classic combinations, that work the best.

But if my goal is to reinvigorate lunch, well, I guess I’m going to try to take a somewhat simple thing and up its ante, ever so slightly, making it not so boring, not so run of the mill, something downright wonderful. And why not a roast beef and swiss sandwich? A few twists and turns, a flatbread instead of a thicker bread, and you’re well on your way to kissing boring old deli sandwiches for lunch goodbye, forever.

If you are a pro at making your own aioli, be my guest, but a good store bought mayonnaise works well, too, with a bit of garlic and old school horseradish. And that jar of little french pickles you have in the pantry? Crack it open and layer them in the flatbread; they’ll provide a salty, briny crunch to the richness of the roast beef that will make you smile.

Now don’t get stingy with the other vegetables while you’re making this one. You need the greens, and those tomatoes will sing once they hit the mayo. Don’t worry, the Flatout flatbread will hold it all together, flavorfully, and once again we’ve made a run of the mill lunch something truly special. And it all started with a kiss!

Amy at Flatout