Monday, August 24, 2009

Blue Cheese Steak Sandwich - Crater Lake - Blue Monday





The Romantic in me could easily be persuaded that God was standing in Oregon when he created the world. We are blessed with incredible natural beauty. Crater Lake is one of the most magnificent sites in the United States. It is a favorite destination for visiting family and friends who are curious to see its blue waters. Actually, the water in the caldera is colorless and the fabled blue is the result of blue light in the sun's spectrum being scattered by water molecules before returning to the surface of the lake. I promise no more lessons in optics if you promise to put Crater Lake put it on your bucket list. It's gorgeous.

There are a limited number of places to eat in the Crater Lake area. We've fallen into a pattern of having one meal in and one meal out and the al fresco meal is, by far, everyone's favorite. We pack several salads, cheese and fruit for a cheese board, something sweet for dessert and the fixings for spectacular sandwiches that are served on incredibly good bread. Men have been sent to the moon with fewer provisions than we take for a picnic. I like to vary the sandwiches we make; the only requirement is they be uncommonly good. They are usually assembled and warmed just before eating. This steak sandwich is one I love to make for our picnics. The combination of blue cheese, roasted peppers and arugula is an undeniable treat. We warm or grill the beef just before its piled on warm, crusty rolls. Regular readers know I have a "thing" for flatiron steak and I use it whenever possible. As luck would have it, none were available for our picnic. It was time for the "mother of invention" to step to the plate. Having been called worse things, I took it in my stride. I had the butcher trim and slice a boneless rib roast into paper thin slices. The meat was seasoned and quickly sauteed in a mixture of garlic flavored olive oil and butter until it was just rare. I warmed the beef on site. It goes without saying that we used an Oregon blue cheese that just happened to be named Crater Lake Blue. I hope you enjoy this sandwich as much as we do. Here's the recipe.

Blue Cheese Steak Sandwich
...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite
Ingredients:
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
4 crusty hard rolls or bread of your choice, warm
1-1/2 pounds rare, thinly sliced steak
1 cup fresh arugula or watercress
1 cup bottled roasted red sweet pepper, drained and patted dry

Directions:
1) In a small bowl combine blue cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and vinegar.
2) Spread one side of warm rolls with blue cheese mixture. Top each with an equal portion of arugula, roasted pepper and sliced steak. Yield: 4 sandwiches.

I'm linking this to Smiling Sally for her Blue Monday event.

55 comments :

Anonymous said...

Oh my! My mouth is watering especially since I am starving right now. I will definitely print this one out and try it. I am delighted you visited the Vintage Nest.

Dee said...

i have some fond childhood memories at that lake. i really love it there! great hiking. i want visit again some time soon! i love Oregon so much!

Martha@A Sense of Humor is Essential said...

Everything is so delish!! I was just a guest at Lake Of The Woods down the road from beautiful Crater Lake. Thanks so much for sharing and also your visit to my blog.

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Hi Mary, what a wonderful sandwich to try. It will be on the menu tomorrow evening. As always you've out done yourself.. I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday.
hugs ~lynne~

Skoots1moM said...

you got my mouth watering...would so loved to have bitten into that sandwich, especially while looking at Crater Lake...Go, God!!

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

The sandwich has me watering at the mouth, but the picture of Crater Lake-that is definitely a 'bucket list' attraction.

momgateway said...

Wow, that looks amazing! I've always wanted to visit Crater Lake.

Martha said...

There is nothing better than blue cheese and beef -- we had blue cheese sprinkles on our salad that was perfect with our dinner steak.

Your sandwiches look amazing -- and the scenery in Oregon is perfection!

Bunny said...

That is the most beautiful blue, you're so lucky to live so close to it! I love this sandwich, thanks for posting the recipe!!

Donna-FFW said...

This soounds like a most delightful sandwich. I love the blue cheese 'sauce'.

Heather S-G said...

I love blue cheese...esp. w/ beef. This is an awesome sammie! And yes, the view is breath taking! :D

Michelle said...

Added to my buscket list: one visit to Crater Lake with a guided tour by Mary with one of her famous picnic baskets filled with goodies.:)

NKP said...

The perfect sammie for such a spectacular picnic locale! What a wonderful way to spend the weekend.

Deb in Hawaii said...

All though it has been years since I was last there, Crater Lake is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Your sandwich looks lovely and delicious.

Barbara Jean said...

Great picture of Crater Lake, We are indeed blessed to live in Oregon. So much beauty all around us.

Certainly is God's Country.

blessings, and oh, the food looked just too good for sitting here at midnight. Think I'll have a snack!!
barbara jean

Singapoare Plants Lover said...

I love to eat but bad in cooking, I won't follow your recipe but I really enjoy reading your blog. Cheers.
http://singaporeplantslover.blogspot.com/

Becky K. said...

We must visit the West one of these days. Living on the East Coast we have beauty but it is different.

Those sandwiches look so very yummy!

Becky K.

Barbara said...

OMG, the sandwich looks and sounds wonderful, the problem at our house is the awful "D" word (diet). I will save this recipe for better times. I am not familiar with flatiron steak, we must call it something different here.

The Lake is beautiful, thanks for showing the picture.

Barbara

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Beautiful - Crater lake is fantastic and so is that sandwich. Blue cheese is one of our favorites.
Sam

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

What a beautiful sandwich and the view of the lake is breathtaking...

SmilingSally said...

That lake takes FIRST PRIZE for the most gorgeous I've seen. Thanks for sharing your blues. Happy Blue Monday.

Kristin said...

Ouu, yum! Looks & sounds delicious as usual! I hope we get to Oregon someday, sounds like such a beautiful place!!

Knitty said...

What a gorgeous view of the lake! The sandwich is looking pretty gorgeous too.

bj said...

O my goodness...your sandwiches look so delicious, I could bite my computer screen!! Ummm...thanks so much for sharing.
I hope to see this beautiful site someday. It is amazing.

Cathy said...

Your sandwich has my mouth watering, Mary. Blue cheese and tender slices of beef, yummmm. I agree about the flatiron steak. Its one of my favorite cuts.

Crater Lake is spectacular. We truly live in God's country.

Olga said...

That looks so good! Love the combination of colors and flavors.

I've made something similar once with Brie.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Crater Lake looks like a beautiful and peaceful place to spend some time. Your sandwich looks perfect for an al fresco meal in such beautiful surroundings.

Gaby said...

delicious. I am going to have to make this for my BF... he is going to love it!

My Little Space said...

I have never try blue cheese before. Wonder how was it taste like! The sandwich looks yummy!

MaR said...

Such a breathtaking shot! Crater Lake seems to be a wonderful place.

And your recipe sounds delicious, thank you.Happy Monday!

Pam said...

I agree - Oregon is one of the most beautiful places. We plan to go to Crater Lake next year.

Your steak sandwich has my mouth watering. I would love this for breakfast right now.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

That photo of the lake is simply stunning! Beautiful blues! Happy Blue Monday.

Blessings,
Sandi

xinex said...

What a great combination, Mary....a delicious sandwich and a breathtaking view....Christine

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

GASP***

That first photo really took my breath away - STUNNING!!!!!!

Boo-Bah AKA Iris said...

That blue water is absolutely breathtaking. such a deep blue.

My husband would love the sandwich, but he will not have it because I can't stand even smelling blue cheese :.) I wish I could learn to like it as there are so many good recipes that call for it. I need to expand my list of likes and try out new things.

Iris

Iris

Iris

Maria said...

Your photos are stunning!

The Blonde Duck said...

I seriously want to eat this sandwich by the lake.

Katy ~ said...

Your photo is breath taking! I could just look at this place forever, I think.

Blue cheese steak sandwich - oh my! Sounds too good for mere mortals, grins.

Unknown said...

Oh, my what a yummy blog! Thanks for your nice comments today. You take striking photos.

Happy Monday to you, too!

Peace,
Gina

Diers Eve said...

Yummy!!! I just adore blue cheese!!!
So very happy Blue Monday and thanks a lot for sharing your recipe.
All the best from Chile,
Val

Tootsie said...

sure does look yummy!!!! but then you always have yummy posts!!

La Bella Cooks said...

My husband would be thrilled if I made this blue cheese sandwich. He is an absolute nut for a good quality blue, so I have to give this one a try!

Unknown said...

Mary, your sandwiches look soooo good. I want to come along on your picnic. I hope you will join me at diningwithdebbie.blogspot.com for Crock Pot Wednesday. Mr. Linky will be up on Tuesday for your link. Thanks for posting.

theUngourmet said...

My husband gets absolutely giddy around Blue Cheese!

We visited Crater Lake in May of 2008. It was stunning! There was still mountains of snow all around and it was very chilly but oh so pretty!

ellen b. said...

Oh girl! That sandwich really looks uncommonly good. I was at Crater Lake with my family in the 50's! Only have a black and white shot of the lake. I think it's time to go again.

jeanne said...

Hi Mary I really enjoy your wonderful recipes. Mmmmmm that sandwich looks awesome. Crater Lake is so blue (looks blue) it blows my mind. Thanks for telling us about the blue which isn't really blue. You could have fooled me!!! Love your post.

Hugs...Jeanne

storyteller said...

Crater Lake is AMAZINGLY beautiful as is your photograph. It's 5pm and after looking at your tasty bleu cheese steak sandwich, I may need to stop blogging and make dinner ... just because. Thanks for visiting Sacred Ruminations earlier ;--)
Hugs and blessings,

Jennsmere said...

Hi Mary...love the sandwich! Have never visited Oregon, but have heard many speak of the beauty there. Thanks for sharing the photo of the lake....beautiful blue!

Be blessed,
Susan

Lori E said...

I have some leftover prime rib in the fridge. This sounds like a good way to use some of it up.

LV said...

I would never be able to eat a sandwich like that. It look good thought. But, I simply love that Oregon scene you shared. Really, really pretty, Glad you left me a comment today as well.

Sharlotte said...

What a gorgeous picture of Crater Lake. I will definitely put it on my bucket list!

Neabear said...

Beautiful picture of Crater Lake. I have never been there. The sandwich looks wonderful. But I have never acquired a taste for Blue Cheese. So not sure about that part. Thank you for visiting my BLUE post today!

Megan said...

God, how I love beef and blue cheese. I just got a recipe for something similar to this from the Rogue creamery. But yours sounds better. I'll have to give these a try this weekend.

pigpigscorner said...

I can't take my eyes away from the sandwich! It looks wicked good...

Chef Fresco said...

I just went to Crater Lake with my parents and little brother this summer for the first time & absolutely loved it!! SO beautiful! We went swimming too - brr!

Anyways, your sandwich looks great. Nothing better than steak & blue cheese!

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