June 15, 2006
TOO BAD THE WIFE HATES OLIVES:
Charred Spanish Ham and Cheese Melts and 'Hot' Olives with Herbs and Spices ( "30 Minute Meals," by Rachel Ray, June 15, 2006)
Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high. This dish takes about 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.Posted by Orrin Judd at June 15, 2006 8:56 AM* 8 slices crusty bread from a good-sized loaf, 1/2-inch thick, at least 5 inches across and 3 inches wide
* 1/3 pound thinly sliced serrano ham
* 1/3 to 1/2 pound manchego, thinly sliced with sharp knife or cheese plane
* 1 cup hot pickled vegetable salad of cauliflower, carrots, celery and hot peppers (giardiniera), drained
* 1/2 cup sweet pickled red pepper relish or sweet pickle relish
* 2 cups mixed good quality olives
* 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
* 1 tablespoon lemon zest
* 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
* 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
* Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzlingLayer serrano and cheese in equal amounts on 4 slices of bread. Grind the hot pickled vegetables and the sweet pickle relish in food processor and pulse to make a relish. Spread the relish evenly on sandwich tops and set into place.
Place olives in a foil pouch and season with thyme, lemon zest, cumin seeds and red pepper flakes. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and seal the pouch. Place pouch on grill and cook a few minutes on each side to heat the olives, herb and spices.
Place sandwiches on grill and weight down with heavy skillet or a brick covered in foil. Char and heat the sandwiches through, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
Cut sandwiches in half and serve with "hot" olives alongside.
Please tell me you don't watch a person who idea of a great dish is "Slider" salad or french fried green beans.
Posted by: Rick T. at June 15, 2006 10:14 AMFor those ham eschewers amongst the ranks of the Juddeo-Christian brotherhood, try smoked tuna!!
(Remember, though, to always eschew carefully.)
Posted by: Barry Meislin at June 15, 2006 10:20 AMRachel Ray to her credit does come thru with this particular recipe. My problem with her is her "$40 a day" show, where she eats on the cheap, basically by drinking water at meals and tipping very poorly. All I can think of is the poor table staff at the restaurants when they see her coming. "Thanks Ms. Ray for that $1.50 tip on that $10 meal after taking up a table for over an hour. Have a good day."
Condolences on the wife's gustagatory failing in re olives. Could be worse. My wife hates clams -- native Midwesterners, all they know of seafood is lake perch -- thus robbing me of one of my favorite dishes, linguini with clam sauce.
Posted by: Jim in Chicago at June 15, 2006 10:25 AMJim:
Yes, this recipe is more of a food police misdemeanor rather than the felonies I linked to. Been trying to find out for a long time if OJ really ever makes any of the recipes he posts but he never rises to the bait.
Speaking of which, not such a fan of lake perch myself but walleye...yummo! What saved me from my Midwestern upbringing - where fish was served only breaded and in squares - was a summer in LA during college and a year of business travel right after school. My condolences.
Since you like Italian, ever been to Tenuta's in Kenosha? More than holds it own against Caputo's, etc. here in Chicago but no produce. I've just recently discovered it so I have not fully explored the store yet. I'll look for those anchovies if my middle-aged brain can remember it. It will become a regular stop along with the garden center and quilt store in Racine.
Posted by: Rick T. at June 15, 2006 11:15 AMBarry: I always try to eschew thoroughly.
Posted by: David Cohen at June 15, 2006 12:37 PMIs this like the "Muffaletta"(sp?) sandwich?
Posted by: Jana at June 15, 2006 12:56 PMJana:
Well, they both have bread and olives as ingredients! Spelling varies a bit.
Posted by: Rick T. at June 15, 2006 1:51 PMHonestly, Rachel Ray gives me the creeps. That smile...I can just imagine her feasting on the flesh of the living in order to maintain her perkiness level.
Posted by: Bryan at June 15, 2006 2:39 PMThanks for the post oj. Cooking is my hobby. The wife's is gardening. We fit pretty well together.
Jim: The wait staff might not like to see her coming but I bet the national exposure the restaurant gets sits pretty well with the owners.
Posted by: Bartman at June 15, 2006 8:18 PM