Patty Melts

This may be obvious to many people, but patty melts are great!  I'd never had one before and was pleasantly surprised by how simple and delicious they are.  It's not a particularly healthy choice, since it's basically a burger crossed with a grilled cheese sandwich, but it really hits the spot. 

All you need is:
Ground beef
Rye bread
Swiss cheese
Onions
Butter

Lobster Rolls

You can't argue with that.

I love cooking seafood because it photographs so beautifully.  This tastes as good as it looks but it is not a "traditional" lobster roll and it is not a healthy choice.  I went light on the butter compared to the original recipe and it's still about twice as much butter as I'd normally consider cooking with.  But it was worth it.  So delicious.  

I picked up a couple of frozen lobster tails on sale this weekend and thought lobster rolls would make good use of them.  I originally intended to make traditional cold lobster rolls with mayonnaise and celery, but I got lazy at the last minute and found these buttery, Connecticut-style lobster rolls.  Never a fan of mayo, these are more my speed so I made them instead. 

First, a disclaimer.  Lobster rolls are one of those foodstuffs like pizza that people have passionate, regional, unbreakable rules about.   A real lobster roll must be made with fresh whole lobster, with mayonnaise and minimal other ingredients and served on a top-sliced, commercial hot dog bun.   Check out this awesome blog post where the writer is outraged about the use of green stuff and frozen lobster tails.   

Even though this recipe may be considered a travesty by traditionalists, it was so delicious I have no regrets.  

Cube Steak Sandwich

Here's another not-so-healthy guilty pleasure meal.  I do try to make healthy dinners as much as possible, but occasionally it's nice to have a treat.   I made this when we were in a time crunch before heading out to a movie. Even though this meal is high in fat and calories, I still think it's better than grabbing fast food.  

This is based on the Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwich.  It's a very cheap, easy and delicious meal.
All you need is cube steak, onions, peppers, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco  cheese and sandwich rolls.

Cube steak is a tenderized steak sometimes called minute steak.  You can see the little square shaped indents where it's been tenderized.   You can also see it's pretty cheap.  

Start by sautéing sliced onion and peppers in a little oil, then remove them to a bowl.

In the same pan, melt a tablespoon of butter over medium heat.  

Slice the cube steak into thin strips and season with salt pepper and some paprika and garlic powder.

And add them to the hot butter in the pan.  Let the meat cook undisturbed for about a minute to develop a brown crust.

Then flip the meat over and continue cooking.   Add some Worcestershire and Tabasco and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Then add the cooked onions and peppers back to the pan and mix it all together.

Toast the buns, and then spread with horseradish mayo if you like. 

Top with the steak & veggies. It should be nice and messy.

Now top with the cheese.

And the other half of the bun.  
Enjoy this tasty sandwich with a nice salad.  It is so easy and delicious, you'll love it!

Breakfast (or Lunch) Sandwich

An egg sandwich is a nice, filling breakfast but also a tasty lunch. This one has salami and provolone cheese on a crusty Italian roll. 

First, beat some eggs and add some salt, pepper and green onions or chives.  Pour into a hot, non-stick pan and swirl to coat the bottom.

Once it is cooked on the bottom, flip it over to cook the other side.

Meanwhile, slice the roll and top once side with sliced provolone cheese and the other side with sliced salami (this is salami with proscuitto but any kind will do).

Once the omelet is cooked, roll it to fit the bun and add it to top the salami.

Then top with the cheese and bun.

Slice in half to serve. Tasty!