Walking through the Saks shoe department is an exercise in self-control. I find myself literally drooling at the Valentino flats, Louboutin sling backs and Dolce peep toe ankle boots. While I can’t always afford to indulge in some serious shoe shopping, Saks still loves me enough to make sure I leave happy. They serve the best shoe shopping distraction in the world, the asparagus pate sandwich.

Saks 5th Ave Asparagus Pate Sandwich

2 cups frozen asparagus thawed

1/2 cup cream cheese

1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

8 slices sourdough bread

2 tablespoons butter

Sliced sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil

Preheat oven to broil. Combine asparagus with cream cheese until roughly blended. Add half of the parmesan cheese, salt and pepper; blend until mixture is smooth. Butter one side of each piece of bread, sprinkle with the remaining parmesan. Lightly pat the cheese into the butter so that it stays on the bread while broiling. Place bread slices on a lightly greased cookie sheet, cheese side down. Evenly spread the pate onto the top of each slice. Add sun-dried tomatoes. Place under broiler and broil pate side up until warm. 
With a spatula, turn one slice onto another, forming four sandwiches, and broil each side until lightly golden brown.

This makes 4 sandwiches, which is just enough for me and one other lucky person if they have a gastric bypass and can only eat 1/3 of a sandwich. I’m grateful for Saks and sandwiches, two of my favorite vices all wrapped up in one department store.

That’s’ why I’m grateful for Saks and sandwiches.