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This cooking group will meet on the 2nd Thursday of every month. It is a place to meet as friends, get new recipes and maybe even learn some new cooking skills.


Pesto Focaccia Sandwich

Yields:  about 6 sandwiches

1 loaf of focaccia bread
1 jar of prepared pesto
½ pound thinly sliced Black Forest ham
½ pound thinly sliced roasted turkey breast
6 Provolone cheese slices
½ small red onion, thinly sliced

Cut bread in half horizontally using a serrated knife.  Spread pesto evenly over cut sides.  Layer ham, turkey, cheese and onion evenly over bottom half.  Top with remaining bread half.  Wrap in aluminum foil.  Bake at 450 for 10 minutes until warmed.  Cut into six wedges.

Focaccia Bread

From: Kristina Barney

Makes 1 loaf


2 ¾ Cups flour **(I use bread flour)

1 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoons white sugar

1 Tablespoons active dry yeast **(I use ¾ Tablespoons instant yeast)

1 teaspoons garlic powder **(I use more)

1 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoons dried thyme

½ teaspoons dried basil

½ teaspoons ground black pepper

1 Tablespoons canola oil

1 Cup water **(with a temperature between 105-115 degrees)

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 Cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

 

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil and black pepper. Mix in the canola oil and water.

When the dough has pulled together, turn in out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Punch dough down; place on greased baking sheet. Pat into a ½ inch thick rectangle. Brush top with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

**(I bake my bread until the center has an internal temperature of 185 degrees)

Open-Faced Caprese Sandwich

Ciabatta bread or Baguette

Roma Tomato

Basil

fresh Mozzarella cheese

Oil/Balsamic Vinegar mixture

 

Spread basil on bread (if using fresh basil leaves, wait). Top with cheese and broil until melted. Remove and top with fresh tomato, (this is where you add fresh basil leaves) then brush with oil/vinegar mixture

Cucumber Sandwiches

1 Cucumber

8 ounces Cream Cheese

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1 loaf light white bread

 

Grate cucumber and squeeze out extra juice. Mix with cream cheese and seasonings. Cut out white bread with cookie cutter and spread with cream cheese mixture

Monte Cristo Sandwich

Ingredients

    1 quart oil for frying, or as needed

    2/3 cup water

    1 egg

    2/3 cup all-purpose flour

    1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder

    1/2 teaspoon salt

    8 slices white bread

    4 slices Swiss cheese

    4 slices turkey

    4 slices ham

    1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

    1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting

      Directions

        Heat 5 inches of oil in a deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C). While oil is heating, make the batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg and water. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and pepper; whisk into the egg mixture until smooth. Set aside in the refrigerator.

         

        Assemble sandwiches by placing one slice of turkey on one slice of bread, a slice of ham on another, then sandwich them with the Swiss cheese in the middle. Cut sandwiches into quarters, and secure with toothpicks.

         

        Dip each sandwich quarter in the batter so that all sides are coated. Deep fry in the hot oil until golden brown on all sides. Remove toothpicks and arrange on a serving tray. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.

        (from Allrecipes.com)

          Easy Chicken Salad

          1 pint canned chicken
          1/4 cup Mayonnaise
          1/8 cup sweet relish
          1 tablespoon mustard
          Pepper Jack cheese (as much as you like)

          Combine ingredients and serve with yellow banana peppers

          Ice Cream Sandwiches

          1/2 cup melted butter

          1/2 cup white granulated sugar

          1 large egg

          1 tsp. vanilla

          1/2 cup flour

          1/4 cup cocoa powder

          1/4 teaspoon salt

          4 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

           

          Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place parchment paper in a 10x15 inch pan.  Melt butter slowly stirring frequently.  Be careful NOT to let the butter boil.   Whisk together the butter and sugar.  Whisk in the egg and vanilla.  Add the flour, cocoa powder, and salt.  Stir to combine.  Pour into the pan.  Spread out (batter will be thick) until the batter reaches the edges of the pan.  Bake in the oven for 10 min.  The cake is done when it is dry to the touch and the edges start to pull away from the sides.  Remove from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.  Gently lift the cake onto a cutting board.  Use a serrated knife to cut the cake in half.  Place one half of the cake on to a piece of plastic wrap.  Spread ice cream onto the cake.  Top with other half of cake.  Wrap tightly in plastic and then freeze for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.  When ready to serve, slice the ice cream sandwich into serving size pieces with a serrated knife.  Enjoy!

          Ham and Cheese Sliders

          image

          24 good white dinner rolls

          24 pieces good honey ham

          24 small slices Swiss cheese

          1/3 cup mayonnaise

          1/3 cup miracle whip

           

          Poppy seed sauce

          1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

          1 1/2 Tablespoons yellow mustard

          1/2 cup butter, melted

          1 Tablespoon minced onion

          1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

           

          In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise and miracle whip. Spread onto both sides of the center of each roll. Place a slice of ham and a slice of Swiss inside of each roll. Close rolls and place them into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet. Place very close together.

          In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients. Pour evenly over all of the sandwiches. You do not have to use all of the sauce! Just use enough to cover the tops. Let sit 10 minutes or until butter sets slightly. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted. Uncover and cook for 2 additional minutes or until tops are slightly brown and crispy. Serve warm.

           

          ** sandwiches can be assembled a day ahead and kept in the fridge ready to bake.

          Worcestershire Sauce

          Apple cider vinegar, ½ cup

          Water, 2 Tablespoon

          Soy sauce, 2 Tablespoon (low sodium variety)

          Brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon

          Garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon

          Mustard powder, ¼ teaspoon

          Onion powder, ¼ teaspoon

          Ginger, ¼ teaspoon (minced)

          Cinnamon, a pinch

          Pepper, a dash

           

          Mix all the components together in a cooking pan and place on a medium flame. Allow it to boil and then allow it to simmer on a lower flame for 45 seconds more. Let it cool down before using and store in a cool, dry place. One tablespoon of this can be used to substitute an equal amount of Worcestershire sauce. This makes about ¾ cup of the sauce.

          Nutty Ham and Apple Sandwiches

          Nutty Ham and Apple Sandwiches Recipe

          Ingredients

          • 8 teaspoons spicy brown mustard
          • 8 slices rye bread
          • 4 lettuce leaves
          • 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
          • 4 slices cheddar cheese
          • 1/2 pound fully cooked ham, thinly sliced
          • 1 tart apple, thinly sliced
          • 1/4 cup sliced almonds

          Directions

          • Spread mustard on each slice of bread. On four slices, layer the lettuce, tomato, cheese, ham and apple. Top with almonds and remaining bread. Yield: 4 servings.

          Dessert Cheeseball

          1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
          2-8oz packages of cream cheese
          1/4 teaspoon vanilla

          Beat these ingredients until fluffy.

          Then add:
          1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
          1/4 cup brown sugar

          Beat until combined.

          Stir in 1 1/2 cups mini semi sweet chocolate chips.

          Cover and refrigerate for two hours.  Remove dough, shape into a big ball and refrigerate for another hour.  Roll ball in two cups chopped pecans just before serving.  Serve with graham cracker sticks.

          Chili Lime Shrimp Sandwich


          Serves four

          Ingredients
          1 pound cooked jumbo shrimp, cleaned and cut into large pieces
          ½ cup plain yogurt or mayonnaise
          ¼ teaspoon chili powder
          ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
          salt and pepper to taste
          1 jalapeno, diced small (optional)
          2 scallions or green onions, chopped
          Juice of 2 limes
          2 pita breads, each cut in half or baguette slices for smaller bites
          2 cups shredded romaine

          Step 1 – Season shrimp with salt and pepper.
          Step 2 – Mix mayonnaise/yogurt with lime juice, chili powder, garlic powder, jalapeno (if wanted) and salt and pepper in a small bowl.
          Step 3 – Add the shrimp and toss with dressing.
          Step 4 – Stuff each piece of pita with ¼ of the shrimp and romaine. Or serve on baguette slices.