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'Wich of the Week: Gorgonzola, Radicchio, and Honey

YumSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:00:46 -0800

Unlike Summer produce that you can toss into a salad, Winter veggies often require roasting, which has the added benefit of warming up your house. This week, I took another page from Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book to prepare roasted radicchio sandwiches with a seasonal side of Brussels sprouts.Though I'm not usually partial to open-faced sandwiches, this Italian-inspired recipe won me over with a surprising combination of ingredients and comforting, wintry flavors. The punchy gorgonzola and slightly bitter radicchio get a sweet assist from honey and candied walnuts. You can make the walnuts from scratch if you want, though I used store-bought candied pecans. For more details on the recipe and to see how I made it, read more.

It's not the easiest sandwich to eat, but it would be nearly impossible without a knife and fork, so the open-faced format makes sense. Plus, the presentation according to Silverton's directions is stunning. This sandwich is highly sophisticated in flavor and appearance yet relatively easy to make. I'd certainly make it again.

Gorgonzola, Radicchio, Honey, and Walnuts Open-Faced Sandwich
Modified From Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book

Ingredients

1 medium head radicchio (about 10 ounces) cut in half through the core
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
4 slices walnut, white, or whole-wheat sourdough bread
8 ounces gorgonzola dolce*
Approximately 3 tablespoons honey, preferably buckwheat or chestnut
1 cup candied spiced walnuts, coarsely chopped, plus 8 candied walnut halves**
Approximately 1 bunch chives, minced

Directions

For the radicchio: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position, and preheat the oven to 400°F.
Cut each radicchio half into 5 wedges. In a cast-iron or other ovenproof 10-inch skillet, combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 2 teaspoons of the vinegar. Arrange the wedges of radicchio in the skillet in a concentric circle. Drizzle the remaining olive oil and vinegar over the radicchio and sprinkle over the salt.

Cover with foil and roast in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil to allow the steam to escape.
Turn the wedges of radicchio over, and on the stovetop over medium heat, cook the radicchio about 3-5 minutes to caramelize slightly, being careful not to burn it.

To make the sandwiches: Grill the bread or toast in the oven for 5 minutes. Place the slices on serving plates.

Spread an uneven layer of the gorgonzola over each slice of bread, and spoon about 2 teaspoons of honey over the cheese.
Scatter about a 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts (or pecans) over each, and evenly distribute the radicchio, leaving a border of the gorgonzola around the edge. Sprinkle the sandwiches with chives, and place 2 candied walnut (or pecan) halves overlapping in the center of each.

Serves 4.

*I used about half the amount of gorgonzola suggested.
**Silverton's book includes a recipe to make your own candied spiced walnuts, but I used store-bought candied pecans instead.

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'Wich of the Week: Open-Face Ratatouille Sandwich

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:00:13 -0700

Sometimes even a sandwich lover needs a serious serving of vegetables, so the other night, I turned my nutrition attention to these yummy open-face ratatouille sandwiches, made with roasted eggplant and red pepper, among other hearty things.Initially, I made the sandwiches according to the recipe, and they were perfectly delicious with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a dusting of herbs. But I thought they needed something to close up their open-facedness, so I also made a version with melted provolone, which I preferred. For more details and to get the recipe, read more.

Roasting makes the veggies very moist, and the balsamic vinegar helps hold them all together. I definitely endorse the fresh thyme garnish, which makes it more interesting. Since the veggies are somewhat mild, I recommend using a high-quality artisan bread with a strong flavor, such as olive bread; I found a delicious chili bread at Trader Joe's, and the spiciness was a nice touch. I didn't have zucchini, so I left it out, but that doesn't mean you should. Check out the recipe below.

Open-Face Ratatouille Sandwich
Modified From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, cut into 3/4-inch slices
1 medium red pepper, cut in strips
1/2 of a small red onion, cut in 1/2-inch wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence, crushed
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
4 large 1/2-inch slices artisan bread, such as chili bread or olive bread
1 clove roasted garlic, halved
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 slices of provolone cheese
Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large shallow roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and onion to prepared pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbes de Provence, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat.

Roast vegetables 30 minutes, tossing once. Add tomatoes to roasting pan. Roast 15 to 20 minutes more or until vegetables are tender and some surface areas are lightly browned.

Meanwhile, rub bread with cut sides of the garlic clove. Place one slice of the bread on each of four serving plates. Sprinkle balsamic vinegar over vegetables; toss gently to coat.

Spoon warm vegetables on bread. If desired, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Cover each sandwich with a slice of cheese and return to oven until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Nutrition Facts (without cheese): Calories 250, Total Fat (g) 7, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 328, Carbohydrate (g) 43, Fiber (g) 8, Protein (g) 7, Vitamin C (DV%) 90, Calcium (DV%) 5, Iron (DV%) 14

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Today's Special: Open-Faced Portobello Sandwiches

partysugar — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 08:57:32 -0700

Hefty portobello mushrooms are an excellent substitute for meat. The earthy, hearty mushroom adds protein and flavor to any meal, and is great for grilling, sauteing, or roasting. In tonight's case, the mushrooms act as the base of an open faced sandwich topped with a delicious vegetarian friendly mixture of cheese and herbs. The feta and fresh oregano give the mushrooms a Greek twist, and the grape tomato bites, added after baking, give it a salad like quality that is light and tasty. The creamy ricotta and tangy feta pair nicely with a bottle of Pinot Noir so why not invite your boy over for an impromptu dinner date? These sandwiches would make an intimate informal meal when concluded with fresh oranges and vanilla cookies. Happy Friday! Check out the recipe and read more

Open-Faced Portobello Sandwiches
From Vegetarian Times magazine

4 large portobello mushroom caps, about 5 oz. each
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 large egg, beaten
8 oz. crumbled feta cheese
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
3 Tbs. fresh oregano plus extra for garnish
3 Tbs. fresh snipped dillweed plus extra for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
20 grape tomatoes, halved

Preheat oven to 425F.
Wipe mushroom caps clean, snap off stem ends and carefully scrape out black gills. Brush each cap lightly with oil. Set mushrooms aside.
Combine egg, feta cheese and ricotta cheese in a mixing bowl. Mix well, and stir in oregano, dillweed, salt and pepper.
Divide cheese filling equally among portobello caps, and place on cookie sheet or baking pan.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until tops turn golden.
Remove from oven, garnish with tomatoes and serve.

Serves 4.

PER SERVING: 320 CAL; 19 G PROT; 20 G TOTAL FAT ( 11 SAT. FAT) ; 17 G CARB.; 120 MG CHOL; 720 MG SOD.; 3 G FIBER; 10 G SUGARS

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Open-Face Roast Beef Sandwich

partysugar — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 07:57:31 -0700

Wanna impress your husband with a deceptively simple meal that he is bound to lovingly devour? Make him this delicious open faced sandwich for dinner! When he comes home from work, the house will be filled with such a scrumptious smell of roasting meat that he'll think you spent all afternoon slaving over the stove. Little does he know you just threw the meat in the oven, whisked together a sour cream and horseradish sauce, and stopped by the bakery for the best crusty bread in town. Pour him a glass of your favorite wine and listen as he praises your culinary prowess. You know you need the recipe, so read more

Open-Face Roast Beef Sandwich
From Everyday Food magazine

1 1/2 pounds top round beef roast
1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 to 2 tablespoons bottled white horseradish
2 to 3 (about 1 pound) watercress, washed and thick stems removed
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
4 (thick) country bread

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Place beef on a rimmed baking sheet. Rub with 1 teaspoon of the oil, and season generously with salt and pepper.
Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of meat registers 135 degrees; (for medium-rare), 30 to 35 minutes; let cool.
Meanwhile, in a small container, combine sour cream and horseradish; season with salt and pepper. If preparing this recipe in advance, see storage instructions, below.
Serve: If stored in refrigerator, bring beef and horseradish cream to room temperature.
To make salad, toss watercress with vinegar and remaining tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper.
Thinly slice beef, and place on each of four bread slices; top with horseradish cream. Serve with watercress salad.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Portobello, Broccoli, and Red-Pepper Melts

partysugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:45:01 -0800

Looking for a hearty and delicious vegetarian-friendly recipe to serve at a Super Bowl party? Look no further than this open-faced sandwich. Although the ingredients are simple, the final dish is superbly balanced in flavor. It's a highly versatile recipe, so cater it to suit your needs. If you dislike broccoli, substitute a leafy green like spinach or arugula; if red peppers aren't your thing, use sundried tomatoes instead. Apply the same open-minded theory to the cheese topping: The recipe recommends gouda, but goat cheese, white cheddar, or gruyere would be melty and scrumptious. Learn how to make this dish: read more.

Portobello, Broccoli, and Red-Pepper Melts
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

1 small head broccoli, cut into small florets (stalk discarded)
1 tablespoon olive oil
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 portobello mushrooms (stems removed), sliced 1/2 inch thick
2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), sliced 1/2 inch thick
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1 small garlic clove, crushed through a press
4 thick slices country bread
4 ounces Gouda cheese, thinly sliced

Directions

Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat.
On a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, toss broccoli with oil; season with salt and pepper. Broil, tossing once or twice, until broccoli begins to char, 4 to 6 minutes.
Add mushrooms and bell peppers to sheet; season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. Broil, tossing once or twice, until vegetables are tender, 8 to 10 minutes more; set aside.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and garlic; season with salt and pepper.
Place bread on a work surface. Dividing evenly, spread with mayonnaise mixture, and top with vegetables, then cheese.
Place on baking sheet, and broil until cheese is melted and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Open-Faced Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches

partysugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 07:50:57 -0700

Get excited for Summer's bounty of produce with this quick vegetarian recipe. It's a fresh take on classic eggplant Parmesan. Instead of breading the thick-cut eggplant steaks, the bread (preferably country style) acts as a base for the open-faced sandwich. Tomato slices stand in for the traditional marinara sauce.

The entire dish is topped with melted mozzarella cheese and a chiffonade of basil. This crowd-pleasing meal is sure to become one of your staples this season, so get the recipe and read more.

Open-Face Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

Eight 1/2-inch-thick slices of peasant bread
Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
One 1 1/4-pound eggplant, sliced crosswise 1 inch thick
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick
1/2 pound buffalo mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick
8 large basil leaves, torn
Coarse sea salt

Directions

Light a grill. Brush the bread on both sides with olive oil and grill over high heat until crisp on the outside but still soft inside, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer to a platter.
Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat until charred on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn and grill until tender, about 3 minutes longer.
Top the eggplant with the tomato, mozzarella and basil. Cover the grill and cook until the cheese melts, 2 minutes. Transfer the eggplant to the bread, sprinkle with sea salt and serve.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Taleggio Tartines With Watercress Salad

partysugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:50:58 -0700

Although a tartine is an open-faced French sandwich, this tartine recipe employs taleggio, a gooey Italian cheese. Taleggio smells stronger than it tastes and pairs well with fruit and bitter greens - in this case grapes and watercress. A quick vinaigrette combines grainy mustard with sherry vinegar and agave syrup. Don't skip the step that steeps the red onion in the vinaigrette because it gives the onion a slightly pickled flavor. To look at the recipe, read more.

Taleggio Tartines With Watercress Salad
From Vegetarian Times

Ingredients

Vinaigrette
2 1/4 tsp. sherry vinegar
1/4 tsp. whole-grain mustard
1/4 tsp. agave syrup
1Tbs. olive oil
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Tartines
3 oz. Taleggio cheese
41/2-inch-thick slices walnut bread, lightly toasted
4 cups watercress or arugula
1 cup red seedless grapes, halved

Directions

To make Vinaigrette: Whisk together vinegar, mustard, and agave syrup in small bowl. Whisk in oil, stir in red onion, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Let stand 10 minutes.
To make Tartines: Preheat broiler. Spread 3 Tbs. cheese on each piece of toast, and broil 1 minute, or until cheese is melted.
Remove onion from Vinaigrette. Toss onion with watercress and grapes. Add 1 Tbs. Vinaigrette to salad, and toss to coat.
Top each bread slice with 1 1/4 cups salad, and serve.

Serves 4.

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'Wich of the Week: Sardine and Arugula Sandwich

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:00:50 -0700

Since I make my sandwich obsession so public, my friends and family are always passing along recommendations and recipes. I was especially tickled by an article my mom tore out of an old Esquire magazine from 1989, entitled "New Hope For the Bread." My dad and I share a love of Esquire, so these sandos are well-suited to Father's Day. The '80s sandwich tribute included such forward-looking recipes as an open-faced polenta sandwich and a breadless one eerily similar to my eggplant grilled cheese. I chose the simple sardine and arugula sandwich (arugula in '89! who knew?) to showcase this super-healthy, sustainable fish. It was tasty but there were some things I'd do differently, find out what and read more.

The magazine recommended water-packed sardines, but I think oil- or mustard-packed make for a tastier and less dry sandwich. In addition, I spread a bit of mustard on the bottom slice of bread to hold everything in place. Rather than sprinkle crumbled egg yolk over the sardines, as suggested in the article, I couldn't resist using lovely whole egg slices. Here's my modified recipe.

Sardine and Arugula Sandwich
Modified from Esquire

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
8 slices Jewish rye bread
2 handfuls arugula
1 tablespoon walnut or olive oil
2 tins good quality oil-packed sardines, drained
2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

Directions

Spread one half tablespoon of mustard on four slices of bread.

Toss the arugula with the oil and place it on the mustard-coated slices. Arrange the sardines over the arugula.

Lay the hard-boiled egg slices over the sardines.

Top with remaining bread, cut in half, and serve.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

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Nancy Silverton's Fancy-Pants Sandwich Cookbook

YumSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:17:38 -0700

How you feel about Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book depends on how you feel about sandwiches. If you see sammies as a fast dinner option on a busy night, then this is not the book for you. But if you prefer to elevate your humble sandwich with gourmet ingredients, then you should give Silverton's book a shot. As she writes in the intro, "Don't look at them as complicated sandwiches, but as satisfying entrees on bread."

This cookbook grew out of the Thursday sandwich nights at LA restaurant Campanile, where different twists on classics like the grilled cheese are showcased every week. The 100-plus recipes are divided into eight categories, some more sandwichy than others. For a detailed breakdown, read more.

The recipes fall under various headings: open-faced and closed-faced sandwiches, tea sandwiches, "sort-of sandwiches," bar snacks, sandwich cookies, condiments, and breads. As you can probably guess, Silverton's sandwich philosophy lets cooks choose between complexity and (relative) simplicity.

If you prefer, you can make everything from scratch, right down the homemade hot dog buns and caper onion mayonnaise. Or, to prevent the less fussy sandwiches, such as the pancetta, lettuce, and tomato, from getting too fancy, you can use store-bought aioli and other ready-made ingredients.

Admittedly, even the simpler sandwiches in Silverton's book are way more complicated than your standard PB&J. But combinations like Gorgonzola, radicchio, honey, and walnuts are truly creative, and Silverton always offers substitutions for the more exotic ingredients, such as pequillo peppers, that might be hard to find. As for the labor-intensive individual elements, such as braised artichokes, what the recipes require in extra steps pays off in extra flavor.

Have any of you cooked any sandwiches from this book? Or eaten at the Thursday sandwich nights at Campanile? If so, please share in the comments!

'Wich of the Week: Open-Face Balsamic Egg

YumSugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:00:08 -0700

One of my favorite SF brunch spots, Foreign Cinema, has a balsamic egg dish I've always wanted to recreate at home. Deglazing the fried egg in vinegar gives it a gentle saltiness that tastes gourmet and - I must admit - is highly suitable for hangovers. But instead of serving it with potatoes and greens like the restaurant does, I put a twist on the egg dish by making it into a sandwich.

As I suspected, the flavors were easy to reproduce on my own plate with some balsamic-reduction sauce, hearty multigrain bread, and mixed greens. I made two versions of the sandwich: one open-face with greens, and one closed-face with serrano ham. I preferred the open-face, without meat, which allowed the rich flavor of the balsamic egg to take center stage. To get the recipe (with both options) and more photos, read more.

Balsamic Egg Sandwich
Original Recipe

Ingredients

2 slices swiss cheese
2 to 4 slices multigrain bread
3 very thin slices of Serrano ham, cut into strips (optional)
1 tablespoon butter
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar reduction sauce
2 cups mixed baby greens, loosely packed

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250°F.
Place two slices of swiss cheese on each of two pieces of bread.
Place the two cheese-covered slices of bread in the oven, plus two more pieces of bread if you want a closed-face sandwich. Cook for about 5 minutes or until cheese is just melted.

In a skillet over medium-low heat, cook Serrano ham until crispy, turning once, about 5 minutes.
Turn burner to low, add the two eggs, and cook sunnyside up. Alternately, if not using the ham, melt 1 tablespoon butter over low heat, then add the eggs.
When the yolks have just started to firm up but are still runny, drizzle the balsamic reduction sauce atop the eggs. Place a lid over the skillet and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove from heat.

On each piece of cheese-topped bread, add 1 cup mixed greens and top with the fried egg. If using the ham, top each egg with the Serrano ham and a second slice of bread.

Makes 2 open-face or closed-face sandwiches.

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