Beef Sandwich with Hot Italian Giardinara

Hi! It's me, Jennifer, you know... worst ever cooking blog maintainer ever! But here I am with a fabulous recipe. Forgive me for my absence!

I borrowed and adapted this recipe from a local pub/restaurant. Enjoy.

1. Beef, Options: sliced roast beef from the deli, leftover Italian Beef, grilled steak
(I'm purposely not putting an exact amount of beef, you can decide how much you want)

2. Hoagie rolls, toasted in the oven

3. Cheese, I use pepper jack, but since this is spicy, provolone or cheddar would also work well. Also, any other cheese you can think of.

4. Hot Italian Giardinara (found in the pickle aisle, follow the link if you don't know what giardinara is) You could get the regular giardinara if you don't like spicy. **shudders at the thought**

After the hoagie rolls are toasted, add cheese and put it back in the oven to melt slightly. Once the cheese is melted, add beef and giardinara mix. Eat. Gasp from the deliciousness. Make another sandwich since it was so good. Stuff yourself silly. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Red Beans and Rice

Every single recipe I have for red beans and rice serves like 750 people. It also takes 3 days to cook, which I plain just don't have time for. I experimented and pulled from these recipes to make a recipe that is more manageable (and serves about 4-6) and is slightly healthier.

1 package of turkey smoked sausage cut into 1 inch chunks (Eckridge is what I've used, but whatever will do splendidly. Also if you're not cutting calories, go for the beef smoked sausage.)
2 cans of red kidney beans (light or dark, I don't know if it makes a difference.)
1 green pepper, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/2 yellow or white onion, diced
1 clove of garlic, smashed, so that it can easily be retrieved when it's done cooking
1 bay leaf
2 TB of creole seasoning (I use Tony Chachere's)
1 tsp of Worcestershire
2 dashes Tabasco (optional)
brown rice (it's healthier than white rice...or so they say)

In a large skillet, over medium high heat, bring all the ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally to make sure it's not sticking to the bottom. You can simmer even longer if needed. Remove the bay leaf and garlic clove before eating.

Serve over brown rice.

Italian Beef

1 Roast (Rump, Top round...whatever)
1 jar of Pepperocinis (mild if you don't want your guts to catch fire)
1/2 yellow onion, sliced

Put the roast in the crock pot. Pour the jar of pepperocinis over the roast. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. When there is about an hour or two left of cooking time, add sliced onions.

Yes. That's really it.

And dayum is it ever good.

Spicy Honey-Glazed Chicken

Another delicious contribution from Impostor Mom...This recipe reminded me of the sauce on the Asian Almond Shrimp at Zea.

1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp frozen OJ concentrate
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp olive oil
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
cilantro, chopped (optional*)
green onions, chopped (optional)
slivered almonds (optional)**

In a small bowl, combine honey, orange juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Set aside.

In a skillet, heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add chicken, salt and pepper to taste, and brown, about 4 minutes per side.

Add honey mixture to the skillet and cook, turning to throughly coat the chicken. Cook 2 more minutes or until sauce begins to thicken.

To serve, place chicken on plate, spoon sauce over the top and sprinkle with cilantro,green onions, and slivered almonds.

Serves 6

*My husband didn't like the cilantro, so I suppose it's optional. I liked it MUCH better WITH the cilantro.
**I added slivered almonds to the original recipe.
***I'm going to try this sauce with grilled shrimp.

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