The Best Damn Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Have you ever found yourself on a quest? This quest could be for a new car, the best schools, deciding where to go on vacation or maybe just finding a perfect pair of jeans......because let's face it finding the perfect pair of jeans seems nearly impossible and the ones that are perfect cost almost as much as a car payment does! I really shouldn't have to pay that much for comfort, or should I?

I know what you are thinking, "what does this grilled cheese sandwich have in common with finding a pair of jeans?".....well let me tell you it has a lot in common, at least for me it does. I currently find myself on a quest for finding my way back to what I a passionate about. I don't like to admit that I slipped so far from what brings me so much pleasure but it's true and this damn grilled cheese is my step back into reconnecting myself with my passion.

So what makes this grilled cheese so special, well it's part of a menu I am working on for my "dream coffee shop". I have a vision of what I want my coffee shop to be like, look like and what I want to offer as far as freshly prepared food and drinks go. Now it's just a matter of fine tuning those ideas so when that day comes to open the doors to my coffee shop I will only be serving you the best damn tasting food you deserve and would expect from me!!

The Best Damn Grilled Cheese Sandwich (or BDG)

-perfectly cooked hard boiled eggs, sliced.....you know the kind where the yolk is bright orange
-a sweet pile of sautéed onions....that have been sautéed in coconut oil, brown sugar, salt and pepper
-lots of crispy bacon
-gouda and pepper jack cheese
-a smear of spicy mayo (I whip my spicy mayo up on my own but don't have a recipe to share for it....I will tell you that it gets it's heat from that lovely red condiment associated with a rooster)

-bread (duh, it's a sandwich) I used Italian Bread in this picture but prefer it with a ciabatta or English Muffin Bread......I say use whatever bread floats your boat!

Do you have a BDG of your own?? 

Steak Sandwich

I have been working away at my list of recipes that I want to try out of one of my favorite cookbooks. I haven't been buying new cookbooks because I know I have plenty of them and really need to put them to use before I add more to my shelf BUT I did break my promise and buy the second publishing of Ree Drummond AKA The Pioneer Woman. I really enjoy her cookbooks, not only are they filled with family friendly recipes but also with great pictures and stories.

I have to admit I have never used cube steaks before and can't say that I have ever eaten them either but they were called for in this recipe.  Another important thing to mention about this recipe is that it is not really a "diet" friendly recipe.....lots of butter is used..... BUT I will say it was SO worth the calories!! I thought about trying it with less butter but I don't think it would be the same without it and will not cut the butter out of it the next time I make it again. My suggestion try it and decide on your own if those calories are worth it or not ;-)

Steak Sandwich (Marlboro Man Sandwich)

1 whole onion, cut in half and then sliced
2 sticks butter
2-3 lbs cubed steak
Seasoned Salt (such as Lawry's)
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
hot sauce, to taste
4 deli rolls

Directions:

Slice cube steaks against the grain into 1 inch strips, set aside.

Saute onion in 1/4 stick of butter until soft. Remove the onion and add 2 TBS of butter to hot skillet. Start browning steak in a single layer (you should only need to flip the steak strips once so only about a minute on each side, don't over cook them). Now add 1/2 cup worcestershire sauce, 5-6 dashes of hot sauce and yet again 2 TBS butter as well as the onion; stir to combine. Cover and turn off the heat.

Heat a skillet. Cut your deli rolls in half and butter them. Place into skillet to brown.

Now it is time to assemble your sandwich....don't forget to add some of the pan juices over the steak!! Cut sandwich in half and enjoy!!

**Provolone tastes great on this but is totally optional**



Recipe adapted from "The Pioneer Woman Cooks"

Thai Turkey Wraps

I have been a so distracted with getting my finals finished for my last College level math class that I haven't had the time to do any picture taking during my cooking. My math class is done and over with and I think I can now focus on more pleasant things LOL

Can you believe we hit a record high here in Tucson yesterday?! It was a solid 80F!!! Thankfully though those digits have disappeared again today. It's actually cold and raining right now, which I am very happy about because I was absolutely not ready for the heat hiking up our thermostats just quite yet. I believe the weather has even predicted snow for the beginning of next week....we will see anything below 70 works for me at least until after Easter.

So with the past few days being a tad bit too warm for me I decided to have a cold dinner. Thai Turkey Wraps is what i decided on. I have made these before and we really enjoyed them....easy, fresh and quick.

Preparing the dressing...this smells so good!

This is one of our favorites from Trader Joes but if you don't have a Trader Joes around you don't hesitate to use another brand of Asian dressing.

Adding coleslaw to the dressing

End product.
Please don't mind my picture taking skills...still working on perfecting that part ;-)

Thai Turkey Wraps:

2 TBS creamy peanut butter
2 TBS mayonnaise
2 TBS Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (such as Kraft or Trader Joe's)
1/2 tsp hot sauce
2 cups coleslaw mix (you can either make your own or buy the blend in the bag)
4 tortillas (6 inch)
16 slices of lean turkey slices

**I like adding a bit of chopped green bell peppers and green onions too....but this is optional tastes great without it**

Directions:

Whisk together peanut butter, mayonnaise, asian dressing and hot sauce. Add coleslaw; toss to coat well. Then layer your tortilla with turkey then coleslaw mix; roll up. EAT!! told you it was quick and easy!!

**you can add more of any of these ingredients to your preference, I like add a little more dressing and coleslaw**