Reuben Sandwich

Rueben Sandwich 

I Always Have Leftover Corned Beef, So....Why Not a Sandwich!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 5+ hours

Ingredients

4-5 lbs. Corned beef brisket ( raw in marinade)

2 cups sauerkraut (rinse and drained)

8 slices of Rye Bread

8 slices Baby Swiss cheese

Thousand Island dressing

butter

Cooking Tools 

Baking pan

Grill pan

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Take corned beef out of bag and drain excess marinading liquid. Place in baking pan and cover with foil and bake for 5 hours. Remove from oven and cool before slicing against the grain. Butter sliced bread and add generous amount out of corned beef, then sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and slather Thousand island dressing and place on heated grill pan and toast each side until headed through.

Serves 4 

 

 

 

E.A.T. Sandwich

E.A.T. Sandwich

This Egg, Avocado & Tomato Sandwich on a Bed of Ricotta 

Cheese Is The Ideal Quick And Easy Meal.

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 1-2 minutes

Ingredients

4 slices of Focaccia Bread

1 avocado, slices

1 tomato, sliced

1 cup Ricotta cheese

2 eggs

avocado oil

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

All Clad Non-stick Pan

Directions

Toast Focaccia Bread. Drizzle avocado oil in a non-stick pan, fry eggs sunny side up. Spread ricotta cheese on bottom half of bread. Place tomatoes, then avocado slices and top with egg. Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 2

Prosciutto & Roasted Red Pepper Baguette

Prosciutto & Roasted Red Pepper Baguette

A Beautiful Crusty Bread, Salty Prosciutto & Just A Hint Of Sweetness From The Fig Jam!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: No cooking required

Ingredients

1 Whole wheat Baguette

8 slices of Prosciutto

1 cup whole milk Ricotta cheese

1 jar fire roasted peppers, drained

1/2 cup fig jam

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Serving plate

Decorative tooth picks 

Directions

First drain roasted red pepper on paper towels to dry. Cut loaf elongated in half, spread ricotta cheese on bottom half, spread fig jam on top half.  Place roasted red peppers on top of cheese then lay Prosciutto on top of peppers, salt and pepper. Place the top half on top and slice on a angle and secure with tooth picks.

serves 2

 

Vegan Black Bean Burger

Vegan Black Bean Burger

 So Tasty And Satisfying!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

4 buns 

1 can cooked black beans, drained

3/4 cup canned cooked lentils, drained

1/4 cup red onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, pressed

1/2 cup carrots, small dice

3/4 cup Honey panko crumbs

1 tbsp tahini paste

1 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil

1 tbsp plant based butter

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cumin powder

1/4 tsp lemon pepper

1/4 tsp Herb de Provence

salt

Toppings/Optional

sliced tomatoes

lettuce

avocado 

Cooking Tools

All Clad Non-stick Frying Pan

All Clad Grill Pan

Kitchen Aid Food Processor

Directions

In a skillet, melt plant based butter on medium low heat.  Add in; carrots, onions, garlic and saute until slightly tender and onions are translucent. Place drained beans and lentils to the cooked vegetables then add the seasonings and breadcrumbs. Cook on low heat until any moisture is evaporated, let cool.  Add the cooked ingredients in a food processor and add in Tahini and avocado oil.  Pulse on medium until mixed, Not Puree, you want to leave small chunks, salt to taste. Remove from food processor and make patties.  Heat grill pan on medium heat and coat with some oil and grill each burger patties about 3 minutes on each side on medium heat.

Serves 4

Gua Bao

Gua Bao

Wonderful, Flavorful Steamed Pork Buns With a Sticky Glaze!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 24 hours

Cooking Time: 4+ hours

Ingredients

2-3 lbs. pork belly, trim excess fat

12 Bao buns, fresh or frozen, thawed (ready to steam)

4 cups chicken stock

4 cups water

1/4 cup white vinegar

1 1/2 cups soy sauce

1 cup Chinese white wine or Mirin

1 1/2 cups brown sugar/ palm sugar

8 cloves garlic, sliced

1 cup chopped green onions

5 slice fresh ginger

1 tbsp whole peppercorns

1 tbsp Chinese Five spice

5 star anise

Condiments

shredded cabbage 

shredded carrots

sliced green onions

cucumber or pickled cucumber

 

Cooking Tools

Bamboo Steamer

Dutch Oven with lid

Mesh strainer

All Clad Non-stick Frying pan

Calphalon Wok

Directions

The first step would be to braise the pork belly. On medium low heat in a Dutch oven pot, add: Pork Belly, stock, water, vinegar, soy sauce, wine, sugar, garlic, green onions, ginger, peppercorns, Chinese Five spice and star anise.  Bring liquid to a rolling boil and then reduce heat to low, cover lid and cook for 3-4 hours.  Flip pork belly a few time during the cooking process. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Remove pork belly and strain liquid of all debris (discard) and place pork belly back in the strained liquid. Place pork belly in liquid in refrigerator overnight. Remove solidified fat on top of liquid and discard. Remove pork belly from liquid and slice into 1/2 inch slices. Fry pork belly slices for a few minutes on each side on medium heat to crisp up the fat.  Use some of the braising liquid to create a glaze for the pork belly. Reduce heat until the glaze becomes sticky.  Steam dumpling in the steamer over water in a wok.  Steam buns according to the manufacturers directions. Place Pork belly in steamed buns and garnish with the condiments, you may also add more glaze to the pork belly.  Serve hot!!

Serves 4

Bacon & Avocado Grilled Cheese

Bacon & Avocado Grilled Cheese

The Cilantro Garlic & Avocado Crema Takes It Over The Top!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

8 slices Sourdough bread

3 avocados, sliced

16 slices, thick cut bacon, cooked

2-3 cups shredded Fontina & Gouda

8 tbsp Cilantro Garlic & Avocado Crema (recipe below)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Cooking Tools

Sheet pan

Grill pan

Pastry brush 

Direction

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. Place bacon flat on sheet pan and bake in oven for 30 minutes or until brown and crispy. Remove bacon from oven and place bacon on paper towels to absorb excess oil. Spread inside of each slice of bread with the spread evenly and generously. Add shredded cheese on one side top with avocado slices, then bacon and top with more shredded cheese and the other half of the bread. Preheat grill pan on medium heat and place sandwich on grill pan. Lower the heat and flip when you see grill marks, once flipped, spread a light coat of mayonnaise with a pastry brush. Flip the sandwich and do the same with the other side. Flip back and forth to melt the cheese.

Serves 4

Cilantro Garlic & Avocado Crema

Ingredients

2 bunches of cilantro leaves, remove long stems

5-6 cloves garlic, pressed

2 limes, juice & zest

1 bunch of chives

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 tbsp agave syrup

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tbsp sour cream

1/4 cup avocado oil

1 avocado, sliced

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Food processor 

Directions

Place everything in a food processor and pulse until completely blended smooth, adjust seasoning to suit taste. 

Prosciutto & Ricotta Baguette

 Prosciutto & Ricotta Baguette

If You Want Something Quick And Fancy!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: No cooking required

Ingredients

French Baguette, split, 6 inch sections

Prosciutto slices

1 cup fresh ricotta cheese

1 tsp honey

1 tsp minced chives + garnish

1 clove garlic, minced

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Small bowl

Directions

In a small bowl, mix; ricotta cheese, honey, chives, garlic, salt & pepper.  Split baguette and spread ricotta mixture and layer Prosciutto slices and garnish with more chives.

yields 2

Tomato Bread

Tomato Bread
Take Store Bought Bread Dough And Elevate It!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of  Marinara Sauce

store bought pizza dough or bread dough

1 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated

olive oil for drizzle

cooking spray

1 egg

Cooking Tools

Loaf pan

Large cutting board

Small mixing bowl

Pastry brush

Cooling rack 

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Press out dough on cutting board at least wide as the loaf pan and stretch dough out so you can roll several times.  With the dough stretched out, spread the marinara sauce evenly from center to the edges.  Sprinkle on the garlic powder and Parmesan cheese evenly all over the dough.  Drizzle with olive oil and roll from one end to the other, like you are rolling a cinnamon bun. Take the rolled dough and place in the cooking spray lined loaf pan. Whisk egg in a mixing bowl and use the pastry brush to coat top of loaf.  Bake in oven for about 40 minutes.  Invert bread to a cooling rack.  Serve warm as is or use for open sandwiches.

Yields 1 loaf

Caramelized Pork Banh Mi

Caramelized Pork Banh Mi
A  French Inspired Vietnamese Sandwich!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients
1 lbs. cooked pulled pork
2 french baguette or sub bread
pickled carrots & daikon radish (recipe below)
sprigs of cilantro
6 fresh basil leaves
4 green onions
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp Gachujang sauce
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp Mirin
1/4 tsp sesame oil
Maggi sauce https://www.amazon.com/Maggi-Seasoning-6-7fl-oz-200ml/dp/B0000E2PX6

Cooking Tools

Large fry pan/ skillet

Small mixing bowl 

Directions
Heat cooked pork on medium heat.  Add; soy sauce, Gachujang, sugar mirin, sesame oil and cook until sauce start to caramelize. Prepare buns and cut length wise without cutting through the hinge.  Pull out some of the bread to create room for the rest of the ingredients.  Heat buns in oven until slightly toasted.  Fill buns with pork the dash some drops of the Maggie sauce on the inside bun.  Add layer of the cilantro, basil leaves, green onions and pickled carrots & daikon.

Pickled Carrots & Daikon

Ingredients

1 carrot, julienne

1 small daikon, julienne

1 cup white vinegar

1 cup sugar

Directions
Place vinegar and sugar in a small mixing bowl and whisk.  Add in carrots and daikon and pickle at least 1 hour or overnight. 

Jalapeno & Cheddar Boule

Jalapeno & Cheddar Boule 
Just A Hint Of Heat And Tang Of Cheddar!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients
2 1/4 cup flour + dusting
1 1/2 packets of fast active yeast
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup jarred jalapeno slices, drained
1 cup warm water
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
cooking spray

Cooking Tools

Medium mixing bowl

Parchment lined sheet pan 

Directions
Activate yeast in 1 cup of warm water and sugar in a mixing bowl and let set aside for 15 minutes until bubbly with yeast activation. Pour in flour into yeast and mix, it will be sticky.  Place dough on a floured surface and knead dough ball and start adding the cheddar cheese and jalapeno slices and continue to knead for 5 minutes, use as much flour to create a smooth and not sticky dough. Clean bowl and coat with cooking spray and place dough in the bowl and cover with a towel and place in a warm location for 1 hour. Punch dough down and place on a parchment lined baking sheet and shape the loaf and allow to rise again for 45 minutes. Preheat oven to 425 Degrees F and bake for 45 minutes.
Yields 1 loaf

Ham & Cranberry Sliders

Ham& Cranberry Sliders
Perfect Combination Of Salty & Sweet!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-35 minutes

Can Be Made With Leftover Turkey Also!

Ingredients

Smithfield Maple Glazed Ham slices

6-8 Kings Hawaiian buns

1/4 cup leftover cranberry sauce

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 egg

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp maple pumpkin spice

2 tbsp butter, melted

2 tbsp maple syrup

Cooking Tools

Baking dish

Small mixing bowl

Pastry brush 

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F. Use some of the melted butter to grease bottom of baking dish. Slice bread in half and place bottom half in prepared baking dish. Whisk together egg, milk and spice in a small mixing bowl and then pour evenly over bread. Layer ham slices, then cranberry sauce, then top with shredded cheddar cheese evenly. Then place top half of bread on top. Brush rest of melted butter and maple syrup on top of buns.  Bake in oven for 30-35 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
Serves 4

Chicken Fajita Sandwich

Chicken Fajita Sandwich
A Rules Apply Here!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

4 large buns

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast (thin)

1/2 cup olive oil, divided

juice of 1 lime

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp Fajita seasoning mix

1 green pepper, sliced

1 red pepper, sliced

1 onion, slice

tomato slices

3 cups field greens, spinach or lettuce

2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Mixing bowl

Outdoor grill

Large skillet/frying pan

Directions
In a mixing bowl, whisk 1/4 cup olive oil, lime juice, garlic, Fajita seasoning mix. Place chicken breast into the marinade and toss and coat evenly.  Place in refrigerator for at least 1-2 hours. Cook peppers and onion in the rest of the olive oil in a skillet until tender, salt & pepper to taste. Grill chicken on grill until done, the last minute add shredded cheese on top of grilled chicken to melt. Make sandwiches and add sliced tomatoes, sauteed peppers & onions then field greens. 

McRib Sandwich

McRib Sandwich

Fast Food Chain Redo, But Better!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 3 hours

Ingredients

1 slab baby back ribs

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp onion powder

BBQ sauce

sesame seed buns

Cooking Tools

Foil

Sheet pan 

Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Evenly coat ribs with brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, cinnamon, onion powder.  Wrap ribs in foil tightly.  Place on sheet pan and bake for 2 1/2 hours.  Remove ribs from oven and open foil.  Remove each rib bone out without tearing the meat.  Discard the rib bones and baste the rib meat with the BBQ sauce front and back and place back in the oven for 30 more minutes with the foil left open.  Slice the rib meat to fit size of bun.
Yields 4

Derby Chicken Salad

Derby Chicken Salad
Serve With Toast, Or As A Simple Salad!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: No cooking required

Ingredients
Toast
3 cups cooked chisken breast, cubed
2 cups seedless grapes, halved
3/4 cup onions, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
3/4 cup walnuts pieces
2 celery, sliced thin
2 cups watercress
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp white vinegar
salt
pepper

Cooking Tools

Large mixing bowl

Directions
Whisk together, mayo and vinegar.  Toss in cooked chicken, grapes, onions, green onions, walnuts and cerlery.  Mix ingredients salt & pepper to taste.  Toast bread, create a sandwich and top with watercress.
Serves 4

Grilled Salmon Roll

Grilled Salmon Roll
A Great Alternative To The Lobster Roll
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 3 hours
Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
2 salmon filet, grilled & chilled
English cucumber, sliced thin
4 pretzel rolls
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp water
2 tsp white wine vinegar
2 tbsp shallots, minced
1/2 tsp garlic grated
1 tbsp fresh tarragon, minced
2 tsp parsley, minced
1 tbsp capers
1 lemon cut into wedges
salt

Cooking Tools

Outdoor grill

Small mixing bowl

Mandolin

Directions
Prepare grilled salmon, simply salted in advance, then chill.  In a small mixing bowl, whisk; mayonnaise, vinegar, shallots, garlic, tarragon, parsley, water and salt.  Slice cucumbers on a mandolin. Break salmon apart into small chunks. Line pretzel roll with cucumbers on both sides.  Lay salmon in center of each roll and drizzle with some tarragon sauce, sprinkle with a few capers. Squeeze a bit of lemon juice for a light hit of acid. Garnish with sliced green onions (optional).
Serves 4

Chicken & Biscuit Sliders

Chicken & Biscuit Sliders
Simple Comfort Food At Its Best!
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

2 cooked chicken breast, shredded

4 cups chicken broth

2 tbsp butter

salt

pepper (optional)

2 tbsp corn starch

1/4 cup cold water

Biscuits

Ingredients

2 1/4 cups Bisquick mix + dusting

2/3 cup milk

1/2 stick butter, minced

Cooking Tools

Sheet pan

medium mixing bowl

Rolling Pin

Biscuit cutter

Medium skillet

Directions
Melt butter in a skillet and saute shredded chicken for few minutes.  Pour in chicken stock and reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes to reduce some of the liquid. Mix cornstarch with the cold water in a small cup and whisk into the chicken and allow the cornstarch to thicken into a gravy.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Preheat oven 350 Degrees F.   To make the biscuits; In a mixing bowl, add the flour, milk and butter.  Mix dough and dump out onto a floured surface.  Roll out dough to a desirable thickness.  Using a biscuit cutter, cut out rounds and place on sheet pan and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.  To serve, place shredded chicken in between biscuits, serve hot.
Serves 4