8.31.2010

HOT DIGGITY DOGS!

The sandwich is a simple concept. That’s what I love most about them. It’s all in the eye of the guy beholding the ingredients that decides a sandwiches simplicity or complexity.

On the other hand, even something as simple as a hot dog can become very complicated when you’re feeding 300 people at a ball game. On that level, you’re running a concession, requiring more than a heating element and a jar of mustard. Now you’re in the realm of professional cookware and to some degree, restaurant equipment.

I learned this lesson the hard way when I took on the concession stand at our local little league park last spring. Walking into the rickety little structure for the first time was enough to make me want to cry out “McDonald's for everyone”. The space was devoid of anything resembling cooking equipment. But by then it was too late, I was committed and had to think fast about how best to pull this one off.
My first impulse for surviving this feat was to head for the Internet. Within about 30 seconds I was searching Wasserstrom Restaurant Supplies website where everything I needed popped up onto my screen, in living color, whew! This was going to be awesome.

Before ordering my supplies, I took a little extra time and shopped each item in my order to compare prices. Professional chefs may not have to be concerned with the price of plastic condiment servers, but I certainly was. To my surprise, I was able to stay within my budget for the event, and have since used the same equipment on numerous occasions.
The menu: Hot Dogs, Polish Sausages, PBJ Sandwiches, Sweet Potato Fries, Ice Cream Bars and cold drinks.

8.27.2010

SHOW YOUR STUFF, WIN $40.00 BUCKS

Okay Foodies (and non-foodies) break out your dutch ovens (or just a butter knife) and get in the game. CSNStores.com is hosting this contest and the payoff is a gift card valued at $40.00 for use at any of their 200 plus online stores. This time, it's all about a sandwich (surprise, surprise!). I know you have a favorite (almost everyone does), and I would love nothing more than to see/read about yours. It doesn't have to be pretty (but it helps) or fancy, just your best effort at making a delicious sandwich and submitting it here within the allotted time frame (ends 12:00 noon EST September 12).

If in the recent past you've posted a sandwich on your own blog, use it. Just send me the link and I'll take it from there. Or get creative and make one especially for this CSNStores occasion. Here are the details and simple entry guidelines:

1. Submit your sandwich (s) (with photo & list of ingredients) one of two ways:

* Via email to ditokeri@yahoo.com (leave a comment telling me you have done so)
* Leave the link/URL with a comment at the end of this post

2. You must be a S365 follower to win, so hit the follow button before you enter
3. Any combo of veggie or protein wrapped in a starch qualifies as a sandwich
4. Anyone who submits a sandwich but does not win, will automatically earn five entree
points into the next S365 Giveaway and be featured in a future S365 post

Since we can't taste your entrees, sandwiches will be judged on presentation, use of ingredients, and uniqueness. Remember, if you submit a sandwich but do not win, you will automatically earn five entree points into the next S365 Giveaway and be featured in a future S365 post. The best of luck to everyone!

VEGAN SCHMEGAN STEAK SANDWICH!

Still have a carnivore in your house? Or are you yourself a closet carnivore? Or are you one of a rare breed like me and openly admit to indulging in a piece of beef once in a while? Now your talkin!

Open a cold beer, turn on a Beatles record and remember me when you bite into this good old fashioned, simple and delicious steak sandwich. Nothing fancy, just a hearty throw-back from the meaty past.
Ingredients
Your favorite sandwich steak
Sun dried tomatoes
Roma tomatoes
Baguette
Leafy green lettuce (spring mix if available)
Hellmanns Mayo
Avocado
Your favorite hot sauce
Swiss cheese, sliced
Préparation
Cut baguette in half long ways. Spread mayo on both sides.
Cut sun dried tomatoes length-wise with kitchen scissors and place onto bottom side of bread.
Pile remaining ingredients and season with hot sauce.

HOT CONDIMENTS!!

These may look like innocent little green peppers (Jalapeno), tucked cozily into a stylish frying pan, ready for a medium-high, 10 to 15 minute, covered saute.
Without regard to aesthetic or staging, the process is simple enough. Just coat the bottom of your empty pan with 2 to 3 tbs olive oil. Gently sprinkle a little granulated garlic and seasoning salt over that, and bring the heat up a bit. Layer your peppers onto the oil, cover and wait out the 10 to 15. Turn them over for the same treatment on the other side. Once browned to perfection (above) take them out and let them sit on a paper towel until cool.

Meanwhile, it is highly recommended that you do not touch your eyeball or any other sensitive area until your hands have been carefully washed of the peppers essence. Not doing so can really smart!
Place them in a container and refrigerate. Then, the next time you make a sandwich spread or feel the need to add a little fire and zip to almost any other dish, chop one or two of them up and try to contain yourself on tasting.

Example: Loosely chop 2 or 3 roasted peppers and whip into a cup or so of Mayo. Spread evenly over bread for sandwich making OR add loosely chopped chilled shrimp to the mix for a Mayopeno Shrimp experience that will knock your socks off.

8.26.2010

SANDWICHES OR SUSHI

Very few people are on the fence when it comes to indulging in Sushi. Those who do Sushi love it. Those who do not, won't go anywhere near it, and you can count on getting a curled upper lip in response to suggesting they try it.

I do do Sushi, and as often as possible, so when I saw these Sushi inspired sandwiches from Impress Your Kids.org, I couldn't resist.

Similar sandwich recipes are easily found on the Internet, mostly geared to children's meals for use in lunch boxes inspired by the Japanese bento box.
No question that Sushi is an acquired taste for the American palate, but the fact that some semblance of a sushi bar can be found in almost any town across the country tells me that plenty of people come down on the DO side. Novices associate Sushi with raw fish (Sashimi) and seaweed (Nori), a big turn-off for most. However, not all Sushi consists of raw fish or seaweed. On the contrary, sashimi and nori are just a small part of a typical Sushi menu.

Take the plate of "Inari" pictured above, a simple offering in most Sushi establishments with flavors that are distinctly Sushi-esqe without the use of raw fish or seaweed. I think anyone interested in acquiring a taste for Sushi could "ease into" it if they started with a dish like Inari.

Inari is simply small pouches of fried Tofu, filled with flavored sushi rice, served with pickled ginger, wasabi mustard and soy sauce. About 100 calories per pouch, and they're "Oishii", delicious!

8.24.2010

SANDWICH COOKIES AND CAKES!

Flower CookiesSnicker Doodle Sandwich CookiesThere are foodies and chefs and bakers and cake makers all over the Internet. This is a wonderful and wondrous thing. I see them on Blogger, and Foodbuzz, Foodista and Petitchef, not to mention a boat-load of other networks that focus on food and drink. It's FABULOUS!

Every once in a while I come across a blog/website that blows me away and compels me to do more than just bookmark for future reference. I want to take them with me and feature them here.

This is the story of one of those mind bendingly awesome Bloggers. A baker and cake maker, but mostly an artist. You are not going to believe the talent and style this lady has.

Beach Ball and Starfish Cookies Meet Linzy, self professed Doctor by day and baker by night, whose blog "Flour and Sugar" Thoughts From The Kitchen of Sandwich Cookies and Cakes is really something to marvel at. Linzy was recently married, and get this, she made her own wedding cake.

Banjo Bonanza Cookies

A trip to her Blog is so worth your time. Go and see what a beautiful bride she was and check out the cake she made for the occasion. There's little doubt Ms. Linzy's a total perfectionist because that's what it takes to turn out delicacies like these. She has a website too, and it's well worth visiting. I know you'll be awed by this one. Check it out.

8.13.2010

SANDWICH IN A CAN?

As serious as a heart attack! There's an "inventor-type-guy" Mark Kirkland who has patented the "Canwich" concept, hoping to sell them in vending machines and the like. I have many concerns about this idea, but think that if I saw one in a vending machine and my only other choices were candies, crackers and nuts.........................................................I'd still go for the nuts, sorry. I've searched it out a little, but can't find any more of a visual that what is pictured on the can. I suppose if I had to feed a five year old, a Canwich would be an option. I'm guessing once you open the can the sandwich is really small and packaged in a see-through bag of sorts. Not very appetizing. All I can think of are rashions.

The Candwich recently got national attention after a Utah man was sued by the SEC for fraudulently investing millions of dollars in Mark One Foods, the company the produces the Candwich, in addition to several other such products.

I'm sticking with what I know for sure about a sandwich. Keep um fresh and clean, take them with you almost anywhere, and be creative. Don't try to fix what ain't broke!