One Perfect Bite: lunch

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Table for Two - Ham and Cheese Quesadillas

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...While cooking for two may be part art, part science, most would proffer that it's simply the triumph of common sense and the ability to divide or multiply by two. I suspect it depends on what is being made for two. The recipe I'm sharing today is an example of simplicity personified, and its creation, if we can call it that, was dictated by the contents of my refrigerator. Ham and Swiss cheese are normally used to make these sandwiches, but that combination has been overdone in my kitchen and I wanted to make something that might garner more than tepid praise. I grabbed for heat that came in the form of pepper jelly and a Pepper Jack cheese that's been in my refrigerator long enough to develop a rind. The slivered apple was an afterthought, added to provide some contrast and a little texture to an otherwise "soft" sandwich. The combination worked well and I'll be making these sandwiches again. What is important here, however, is really not this particular sandwich, it's the thought that quesadillas, made with almost anything, make a great quick lunch for two people. So, make a mental note of that, take a peak in your fridge and grab whatever delights you, chop it fine, wrap it and throw it on the grill. You'll have a great meal in minutes and no left overs to deal with. If you'd like to give my crazy combo a try, here's the recipe.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Leftover Turkey? Try Sweet Chili Sloppy Joes Toms

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...This sandwich special, made with leftover turkey, is really meant for children or adults who have an insatiable sweet tooth. While it is a great way to use some of your holiday leavings, it's probably too sweet for those of you who like your barbecue hot and on the spicy side. I found the sauce for these sandwiches in an issue of Family Circle magazine that featured sandwich fillings that could be made in a slow cooker. At the time I put these sandwiches together, I had turkey left from our early Thanksgiving celebration and I thought the sauce would be a perfect base for Sloppy Joes that were made with turkey rather than ground beef. The filling came together in minutes and lunch, which was shared with our neighbors sons, was a big hit. While these taste testers will eat anything that does not bite back, they are honest about their likes and dislikes and they liked these sandwiches. On the chance that you might be looking for new ways to use turkey leftovers, I decided to share this very simple recipe with you. Here's how the sandwiches are made.

Sweet Chili Sloppy Chili ~~Joes~~ Toms...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Family Circle magazine

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
3/4 cup chopped sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 to 4 cups chopped cooked turkey
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 to 8 soft sandwich rolls
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or Pepper jack cheese

Directions:
Blend chili powder, sugar and cornstarch in a 3-quart saucepan. Stir in ketchup, mustard and 1 cup water. Bring mixture to a boil. Add beans, onion and garlic and stir to combine. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Add chopped turkey and simmer 10 minutes longer. Add salt, adjusting as needed to taste. Spoon 1/2 cup of mixture onto a roll. Top each sandwich with 2 tablespoons shredded cheese. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 to 8 servings.