Spanish Ham and Cheese Monte Cristo Sandwiches

8 1/2-inch-thick slices sourdough or country-style French bread (each about 5 x 3 inches)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
6 ounces Manchego cheese, *thinly sliced
2 ounces thinly sliced Serrano ham or prosciutto
4 tablespoons membrillo (quince paste) or quince preserves
4 large eggs
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter

Chef's Note: I halved the recipe for dinner last night

***

What better way for the Chef to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than to write about a Spanish-style sandwich he ate last night? Well, to write about it while drinking a delicious "Sol". Imagine, a holiday to celebrate a military victory over the French. Hmmm....

Anyway, I have only had one or two Monte Cristo's in my life to date. I always thought they were decent. Then I saw this recipe in a "15 meals in 15 minutes" article, so I thought it was a perfect time to get some quick meals down pat, as my CASB module 2 begins tomorrow. <sigh>.

Some of the ingredients took some time (and traveling) to find. The Manchego cheese, the Serrano ham, the quince preserves (just a jam, really) along with the country-style French bread were all purchased at the Italian Market in Edmonton. Good stuff.

In terms of preparation, it was all pretty quick. I spent more time waiting for the butter to melt. And speaking of butter, I think next time I'd go a little easier on butter. Maybe halve it or cut 25% off.

The recipe calls for cooking the sandwich on a skillet, but I used my panini-press/griddle. 8 minutes is all the recipe calls for, and I gave it about 9 minutes. I might suggest maybe 10 or 11 minutes should be the maximum, depending how you like your cheese.

All in all, it worked out alright. I remembered that I'm not a huge fan of egg-dipped sandwiches after trying it out. I automatically just compare it to French Toast, and it just doesn't measure up. The ham was more than a little salty (no surprise there) and the cheese was forgettable. I might try a cheddar and granny smith apple mix next time. Without the egg.

Monte Cristo? Related to Marquis de Sade? Unlikely.

The photographic evidence (notice the Yum-Yum pickles? CJ's momma says it's not a grilled-cheese sandwich without the pickled sidekicks):

The grade: A solid, if unremarkable 7.2 out of 10.

Boston Brute w/ side bolognese, 2 mug Canadian draft, 2 side Clamato juice - Boston Pizza

Boston Brute - A deli style sandwich for the ages, this BP Favourite is loaded with Genoa salami, pepperoni, smoked ham, pizza mozzarella, onion and pizza sauce w/ a side of fries. Baked on a French-style bun. $9.95 CAD
With bolognese meat sauce. $2.25 CAD
2 Mug Canadian Draft - $8.00 CAD
2 Side Clamato - $1.90 CAD

***

I have no idea why they don't have a write-up on the beer or Clamato. That stuff goes together like the Dude and White Russians.

Well, it's pretty easy to make an Edmonton Oilers - Minnesota Wild regular season NHL game more entertaining - just do something else while the game is on. Seriously. I cannot remember the number of times I curse the Heavens for investing 2.5 hours into watching those games. Even the Count can't count that high. After watching too many Wild games, you become a broken man...

Anyway. So for what we all knew was going to be a boring game, a little sandwich with meat sauce and beer is a good solution.

I think there's one that Boston Pizza does well - their pizza sauce. Other than that, they are mediocre. Not terrible, and not fantastic. The atmosphere in the lounge was fine. Not too loud. Service wasn't bad, although the big screen tv had a few technical difficulties, making the game awkward to watch.

Jade, our waitress, was quick with the beer and drinks. And I didn't have to ask twice for the Clamato. Nothing causes rage like having to order your clam a second time.

The sandwich, while it has gotten smaller over the years (I had the "pleasure" of working at the Leduc BP when I was a teenager), was still pretty tasty. That salami and onions dipping into that sauce is all good. It helps when everything is still hot too. Generous portions all around.

Photo:

The grade: 6.4 out of 10.

Grilled 5-spice Octopus Salad with Spicy Tangerine Vinaigrette & Rendang Beef Asian Po'Boy - The Wild Tangerine

Grilled 5-spice Octopus Salad with Spicy Tangerine Vinaigrette  $9.00 CAD
Rendang Beef Asian Po'Boy                                                      $14.00 CAD

***

Three people who contributed a lot to society to come from Saskatchewan: Gordie Howe, Leslie Nielsen, and Felix. No, not this Felix but my ex-coworker. He (on a moment's notice) decided that we were to meet at "The Wild Tangerine" for lunch today (10383 112Street NW, Edmonton). It's on the South side of 104th Ave., right beside the Starbucks. I didn't even know this place existed, but well Felix opened my eyes to some pretty good food...

I ordered the Octopus salad and the beef Po'Boy. I've never had a Po'Boy before, so I was licking my chops in anticipation of that. And well, I order the Octopus salad because it had 5-spices and octopus.

The salad came first:

You really can't see the tentacles or the suckers very well. In fact, the Octopus plays a very minor part of the salad. The best way I can describe this salad is like a Thai mango/papaya salad. It was simply scrumptious. Crunchy vegetables and fruit combined with a slightly spicy and sweet dressing, it was very superb. The octopus wasn't really required - it was really 3rd wheelin' it like nobody's business.

The Po'Boy didn't disappoint:

Yeah, you only see half of the sandwich here. One of my ex-coworker's, "Kim" with her voracious appetite stole half my sandwich before it even got placed in front of me. It kinda went down like this. (Is that Captain Picard's voice?). Anyway, the sandwich was quite good - a slight curry taste to the beef. Hmm. Maybe that's what "Rendang Beef" is? The bread was soft, and the roasted red peppers and onions added some nice flavour.

Overall, a very good lunch surprise. The dinner menu looks great too, and the potato and lavender soup they served to the other table smelled divine. A little pricey, but a score of 8 out of 10.

The Free Press Bistro - The Kubla Khan with Russian Potato Salad

Lean strips of beef, marinated in Mongolian spice and pressed with chiles, shredded carrot, Hoisin sauce and mozza. $12.95

***

I ventured downtown into the big city today for lunch. The Free Press Bistro was my friend's choice, but I was still eager to go. Once I looked at the menu, I realized that the focus was on sandwiches - not what I was expecting at all. I didn't know what to expect, but I just wasn't expected so much focus on the Earl's invention.

I was originally tempted by the Cuban, as I could compare it to my own work (click here). And then the Kubla Khan caught my eye. And then the Shrimp Po' Boy caught my eye (I've never had a Po' Boy). What was Chef Jeremiah to do? In the end, after some discussion as to what "Russian Potato Salad" is and the exciting night the Oil had on Friday, I decided on the Kubla Khan.

It was pretty good. I chose it because it reminded me of the subs I got at the Saigon Givral. I miss that place. Anyway, the sandwich was pretty good, although the bread was just a tad dry for my liking, and the price just a bit too much for what you get (I opted up for $1.50 to get the Russian Potato Salad). The meat was tender and flavourful - in fact it reminded me of a pulled pork sandwich. And the carrots and Hoisin sauce added enough zest and moisture to it. I would have it again, no questions asked.


Here is the proof:

Now, that is only half the sandwich as well - I had forgotten to take to photo until partway done.

I wish I could have quizzed the waitress again about what makes up a Russian Potato Salad, but she was just too busy after we had received our meals. There just isn't enough time at lunch during the week to allow Chef Jeremiah to get his questions answered.

Overall I'd give the experience about a 6.5 out of 10. It would have been better had we accompanied our sandwiches with some beer.

Cuban Sandwich

8 teaspoons mayonnaise
4 Portuguese rolls ( I think I used Italian rolls - tough to find Portuguese rolls)
4 teaspoons yellow ballpark mustard
1/4 pound Black Forest ham
1/2 pound cold Roast Pork Loin (I used Cuban Roast Pork Tenderloin, cooked earlier)
12 thin lengthwise slices dill pickles
6 oz thinly sliced Swiss cheese
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Well, that's for the sandwiches themselves. I had cooked the pork tenderloin earlier (rubbed with garlic, salt and oregano and marinated in orange juice, lime juice and olive oil for 2 hours).

Here is some photographic evidence: