Pear & Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich

This sandwich has been the meal of the week for me. I've had it at least three different days. 

Let me start out by saying that the pear on this sandwich is very important. I ran out of pear before I ran out of cinnamon raisin bread. It adds depth to the flavor profile.  I never thought brie wouldn't be enough to make me happy, but last night I learned better. 

Secondly, I would like to sing the praises of owning a panini press. I bought a cheap one for a post and over the last year I have found it to be my favorite appliance. I have grilled everything from fruits, and veggies, sandwiches and donuts. Yes. Donuts. That one takes some finesse. But most of all, quick and delicious grilled cheese sandwiches.  Not having to flip the grilled cheese changed the game completely. You can stack higher, stuff boldly and not have to worry . I love it. I do. 

Pear and brie on a cinnamon raisin bread is taking a bite straight out of the holidays. I can almost taste Christmas. Which now makes me think of an adaptation I might try: pear and brie cinnamon raisin bread stuffed french toast. Longest title ever, but that sounds delightful. 

Hmmm. I need to go buy more pears. 

Pear & Brie Grilled Cheese Sandwich

2 slices of cinnamon raisin bread
brie, sliced
pear, sliced

Turn on your panini press.

Layer brie and pear between the slices of cinnamon raisin bread.

Set sandwich on hot panini press. Check regularly the toasting on the bread. When it has reached the color you desire, remove the sandwich. If the brie is not completely melted, do not worry. It will continue to melt after removed.

Slice in half. Plate. Enjoy!

Cucumber Sandwiches

Well, if you missed the news, let me tell you myself, DC had an earthquake. Not a major one. We're not complaining. My office shook for 30 seconds, and most people remained composed.Not me, I ran like the wuss I am and didn't stop for a block. Actually, what has upset DC most is the lack of preachers condemning DC. We have a pretty tongue-in-cheek humor here and were really looking forward to a few men of God blaming our earthquake on liberal social politics. Personally, I broke into a rendition of Carole King's "I feel the earth move under my feet." I think the best coverage was done by the National Zoo, who studied all their animals to show the ways they reacted and which knew about the earthquake before it happened. Remind me to get a pet lemur.

The building next to ours has been having some work done. Our office is an 1800s historic rowhouse just up 16th St. from the White House and ....well it predates building codes. When our building shook I assumed the construction next door had destabilized our building. I confess to screaming like a baby, yelling "I'm getting out of here" and taking the steps four at a time.  I realized I was standing outside looking like a fool among everybody else. They were composed and I was......not. Once I realized I was looking pretty idiotic, I decided to handle this "crisis" in the true English fashion: tea and

  cucumber sandwiches.

 Now, my version of a cucumber sandwich is nothing fancy: cucumbers, cream cheese or mascarpone and bread. However, I like to make them look pretty so I can feel fancy. I use my mandolin to cut the cucumber slices as thin as possible, so they are transparent and I can get a stained glass effect. I layer them in rows so that they are just overlapping and cut them with cookie cutters to match the bread. You'd be surprised how easy it is to move the cut cucumbers over to the cream cheese topped bread. Sounds awful, but the base layer is usually so large it doesn't shift...like DC yesterday. Next time we have a minor earthquake I hope to react in such a composed manner.

 Fingers crossed my afternoon is less eventful than yesterday's.

 Cheers!

Steelers Sandwiches

If you haven't ever tried a Primanti Brother's sandwich you are missing out. This gourmet take on the classic Pittsburgh restaurants sandwiches are a must have for the Super Bowl. 

Super Bowl preparations are on the way around my place. My friend Bill has been cracking me up. I get a near daily text message about food...

"how about 'foods with either cheese and/or sausage in them'"
"Okay, you got the 'beer', and i'll work on the other two in the Wisconsin holy trinity: brats and cheese :)" 
"actually, I was thinking....maple syrup is a get out of jail free card." 
"THAT'S VERMONT!" 
"I know....I LOVE Vermont!" 
"I love Vermont too BUT......" 
"Can you bring some brats?" 
[internal monologue: "didn't we already decide that?"]

Hahaha. I left out the part where Bill wanted to get Lake Michigan White Fish. Fish for the Super Bowl? I'm not feeling that either. Unless it's a fish stick, covered in cheese, wrapped in bacon, doused in gravy. It's the Super Bowl! Healthy foods like fish? Mmmmm, no. Now brats, that is something I am all about. DC has this fun hot dog restaurant DC-3 that does themed dogs from all over the country, and some from around the world (like a bulgolgi dog! so intrigued!). My plan is to get some brats, and make up a Steelers and Green Bay inspired brat.....which will hands down taste better than any Lake Michigan Maple White Fish, no doubt about that!

I actually wrote an article for the DC Examiner earlier this week about Super Bowl Food Dos and Don'ts. If you want my full list of what to serve it's at that link. My personal faves are serving pierogis (I know that was a little too 2010 but it's also a little local Pittsburgh flavor), NOT serving cupcakes. So. Over. That., and of course, the Primanti Brother's sandwiches. I mean, really, how can a sandwich with french fries be a bad thing? This sandwich is a spin off of the sandwich that I (and my Iron Chef Teammate Jonathan) made for Iron Chef Mint. It's DELICIOUS. Occasionally Jonathan will just say "Oh man, remember that sandwich...that was soooooo goooood!" It was easily the sandwich of my dreams.

I hope you enjoy this, and have a great Super Bowl weekend! And I'm sorry about this slight "After School Special Moment" but I have to say. Don't drink and drive. Eat and drive. It's safer for everyone. :)

Steelers Sandwiches, Primanti Brother’s Style

1 cup mayonnaise, divided

1 tablespoon BBQ sauce

1/3 cup (packed) finely chopped fresh mint

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons minced shallot

1 teaspoon sugar

1 loaf of bread or dozen dinner rolls

½ cup cheddar cheese

½ cup pepper jack cheese

1 pound sliced ham, or turkey breast

2 cups cooked French fries

½ cup cole slaw

1 tomato sliced

Preheat oven to 350.

Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise and BBQ sauce in small bowl. Mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise, mint, and next 4 ingredients in another small bowl.

Spread chili mayonnaise over bottom piece of bread. Layer with cheeses, and pork. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Spoon mint mayonnaise over top of pork.

Top with any remaining cheese, fries and top halves of bread.

Cook until bread is golden brown, about 4-8 minutes. Remove tops and garnish with cole slaw and tomatoes. Serve warm.