California Melt Recipes

CALIFORNIA PATTY MELTS

Steps:

• In a medium-size saute pan or skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the onion, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
• Remove cover, and continue to cook the onion over low heat until very soft and golden, about 45 minutes longer, stirring to keep onions from sticking to pan.
• Start up grill or preheat a broiler.
• While onions are cooking and after grill is lit, combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl.
• Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix ingredients together well.
• Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions, and form into thin, round patties to fit the bread slices.
• Cut the cheese into 4 pieces a little smaller that the patties.
• Place a piece of cheese on 4 of the patties, cover with the remaining patties, and press edges together to seal and encase the cheese.
• When grill is ready, brush the grill rack or broiler rack with vegetable oil.
• Place the patties on the grill rack or under the broiler and cook until browned, about 4 minutes.
• With a wide spatula, turn the patties and cook until done to preference, about 4 minutes longer for medium rare.
• During the last few minutes of cooking, place the bread slices on the outer edges of the grill to toast lightly or prepare in toaster.
• Top 4 slices of the bread with the patties, pile on the onion, and cover.
• with the remaining bread slices.

CALIFORNIA CRAB MELT

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT bread in a medium bowl.
• Place bread slices on a large baking sheet. Broil 5 to 6 inches from h eat until toasted (1 to 2 minutes).
• Turn bread slices over; spread each with about 1 tablespoon of the crabmeat mixture.
• Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is bubbly (2 to 3 minutes). Serve immediately.
• Note: Some people find Swiss cheese a little strong. I'm sure Monterey Jack would work in this recipe -- and most likely Mozzarella.

CALIFORNIA MELT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler.
• Lay the toasted bread out on a baking sheet. Top each slice of bread with 1/4 of the avocado, mushrooms, almonds, and tomato slices. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese.
• Broil the open-face sandwiches until the cheese melts and begins to bubble, about 2 minutes. Serve the sandwiches warm.