Maybe sandwiches aren't the first things that come to mind when you think of "gourmet food," but then again, we're not talking about your average PB&J. We're talking paninis with summer pesto, homemade rye piled high with artisan cured beef, ciabatta layered with local cheeses. Yes, with the right ingredients, a sandwich can be quite gourmet indeed.

• Tuscan Tuna-and-Bean Sandwiches from Gourmet - Made with pantry staples, but oh-so-classy.

• Crisp Tofu Sandwich with Peanut-Ginger Sauce from Martha Stewart - A simple sauce takes this vegetarian sandwich to another level of awesome.

• Reuban-ish Sandwich from Jamie Oliver - Deli food at home is looking really good right now.

• Merguez Ficelle Sandwich from Real Simple - This sausage and onion sandwich doesn't need much more than mustard to make it perfect.

• BLT Fried Egg and Cheese Sandwich from Food & Wine - What is it about fried eggs that makes everything so good?

• Grilled Cheese and Short Rib Sandwiches from Bon Appétit - Not that short ribs need much by way of improvement, but the caramelized onions and arugula on this sandwich sound divine.

• Pressed Italian Sandwiches from Sunset Magazine and MyRecipes - It's all about the ciabatta, folks.

• Chile-Marinated Pork on Cemita Rolls from Epicurious - The extra effort to make the pork for these sandwiches will be well worth it.

• Fromage Blanc, Banana, and Membrillo Sandwiches from Saveur - Direct from San Francisco's Tartine Bakery to our stomachs.

What's your idea of a truly gourmet sandwich?

Related: No-Knead Bread Hack: Making a Sandwich Loaf Instead

(Images: Romulo Yanes/Gourmet, Martha Stewart, David Loftus/Jamie Oliver, Quentin Bacon/Real Simple, Kana Okada/Food & Wine, Craig Cutler/Bon Appétit, Annabelle Breakley/Sunset, Romulo Yanes/Epicurious, and Todd Coleman/Saveur)

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