Grilled French Dip

I feel very lucky to live in a rental with air conditioning. The only problem with said A/C is that it doesn't seem to cool the kitchen.  Mental note: get box fan for kitchen.  For some reason, the A/C seems to work better in the front of the rental where the living room is.  That means that the bedroom and kitchen are warmer.  I can deal with it, but I try to keep the heat out of the kitchen during the hot days of summer. 

This is something that is easy and quick to prepare-- a French Dip sandwich.  One of my favorites!  The grill added a nice smokiness.  So yummy!

So, the backyard was shady.  Very nice to cook in but not so nice to take photos in.  Oh well.  You'll get the idea. 

Grilled French Dip
French Style Baguette or hoagie (I got the bake-at-home kind)
Butter or Olive Oil
Roast Beef
Swiss Cheese (thinly sliced)
Au Jus (I like Johnny's because I can make as much as I want!)

1.  Preheat grill over medium heat.  Spit bread in half and brush all sides with olive oil or butter.  Place bread on grill and let cook (grill lid closed) for 2-3 minutes, cut side down, until toasted.

2.  Flip bread over and put cheese on it.  Place thinly sliced beef on the grill and close the lid.  After one minute, flip the beef.

3.  Remove when cheese is melted.  Assemble sandwich and serve with Au Jus.  I just made 1/2 cup in the microwave while the bread was cooking.

See that green stuff poking out from the far end of the plate?  It came from my garden!!  :)

Hope you enjoyed this post.  What do you do to beat the heat?

Reuben Sandwiches

I have been lusting after Spring for about a month now.  I think a lot of us are.  One thing that makes me think Spring is St. Patrick's Day.  When I think if St. Patty's Day, I think of corned beef and sauerkraut.  Then I think of one of my favorite sandwiches-- the Reuben!  A friend of mine was talking about Reubens the other day and I've been craving one ever since.  You don't have to go to the local deli to enjoy this hearty sandwich.  Making them at home is much more fun!

I picked up a corned beef roast at my local supermarket and let it cook low and slow in the crock pot all day.  Yum!

For each sandwich, you will need:

• 2 slices rye bread (my favorite is the swirled rye bread at Winco, but I didn't want to drive that far.  I just used the rye bread sold in the deli section of my local store)
• Corned Beef (2-3 oz. cooked shredded corned beef per sandwich)
• Sauerkraut (1/2 cup or so)
• Swiss Cheese (1-2 slices)
• Mustard (I like the deli kind with juicy seeds in it that pop in your mouth)
• Russian Dressing

1. Make the Russian Dressing (recipe follows).  Set aside.
2. Spread about 1 Tbsp or so of the Russian dressing on a slice of bread.  Top with corned beef.
3. Place the sauerkraut in a paper towel and squeeze to remove excess juice.  Sprinkle it on top of the corned beef.
4. Lay the Swiss on top of the sauerkraut.  Spread the other slice of bread with a thin layer of the grainy mustard and set on top.
5. Lightly oil a grill pan, griddle, or skillet with canola or olive oil.
6. Grill the sandwich about 2-3 minutes on each side or until toasted.  Enjoy!!

Russian Dressing:

• 1/2 cup mayo (I use Best Foods)
• 3 Tbsp ketchup (Heinz)
• 1 tsp Horseradish
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp sweet pickle relish

Combine in a small bowl.  Will keep in the fridge for a week or so if needed.

This sandwich was very easy to put together.  I happily devoured it after a Zumba class. :)

Now I have a BUNCH of corned beef left over.  I can only have the same thing so many days in a row.  Any ideas on how to use it up?

BLT-A's

Easy and delicious! I took two slices of Parma Sourdough bread and toasted them. Then I cooked turkey bacon in the microwave and added fresh sliced tomato & lettuce greens from the veggie stand. Instead of mayo, I used a freshly mashed avocado. Absolutely wonderful! I also served corn on the cob and marinated cucumbers (seasoned rice vinegar, salt and pepper). Watermelon for dessert. Perfect meal for a hot summer day!