Three Way Tie Sandwich Recipes

MACARONI AND CHEESE MY WAY

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Bring a large post of water to a rolling boil, add pasta shells and cook al dente, according to package instructions.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, add the olive oil and tasso or bacon, cook until just crisp,
• then add shallots and garlic. Cook and stir over moderate heat just until shallots are translucent. Add the flour, cook stirring constantly to blend and toast the flour, about 5 minutes. Add the white wine, reduce until almost dry. Add the cream, bring to a simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheeses, shrimp and spinach. Gently stir until cheese is melted, spinach is wilted and shrimp is beginning to turn pink. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Season with hot sauce, to taste.
• Drain the pasta, making sure to shake all of the water off and out of the shells.
• In a large flameproof baking dish, place drained shells. Add the cheese and shrimp mixture and gently fold into the pasta. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs and chopped parsley. Place under the broiler until the breadcrumbs are toasted about 2 to 3 minutes.

SANDWICH-INSPIRED PIZZAS THREE WAYS

Steps:

• For the pizza dough: Whisk 2/3 cup warm water (105 to 110 degrees F) and the sugar in a medium bowl; sprinkle the yeast on top. Set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil.
• Whisk the flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture. Gradually stir with a wooden spoon, starting from the inside of the well and working your way out, to make a rough dough.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, dusting with more flour if necessary. Form into a ball. Brush a large bowl with olive oil, add the ball of dough and turn to coat with the oil. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until doubled in size, about 1 hour 30 minutes. If not making pizza immediately, at this point you can wrap the dough in plastic and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and then allow to come to room temperature before rolling out.
• One hour before baking, put a pizza stone or large inverted baking sheet on the lowest oven rack and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Place the ball of dough on a large piece of parchment that's been lightly dusted with flour, then stretch into a 12- to 14-inch round. Slide the parchment with the dough onto a pizza peel or a second inverted baking sheet. Top as desired and bake following the instructions below.
• For the Italian sub pizza: Spread the pizza sauce on the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with half of the mozzarella, then add the banana peppers, roasted red peppers, the remaining mozzarella and a pinch of oregano. Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Top with the salami, capocollo, prosciutto, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, another pinch of dried oregano and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Let cool 1 to 2 minutes before slicing.
• For the shrimp po' boy pizza: Stir together the butter and 2 tablespoons of the hot sauce in a small bowl, then brush on the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with half of the mozzarella, then add the shrimp and remaining mozzarella. Sprinkle with the Cajun seasoning. Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Meanwhile, make a remoulade sauce by stirring together the mayonnaise, mustard, pickles, lemon juice, remaining 2 teaspoons hot sauce and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Top the pizza with the lettuce and drizzle with the remoulade sauce. Let cool 1 to 2 minutes before slicing.
• For the breakfast sandwich pizza: Stir together the olive oil and grated garlic in a small bowl, then brush on the pizza dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with half of the mozzarella, then add the bacon and remaining mozzarella. Crack the eggs on top of the pizza, leaving about 1 inch between each egg, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and several grinds of black pepper. Slide the pizza (on the parchment) onto the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Top with the chopped chives. Let cool 1 to 2 minutes before slicing.

OMELET-IN-A-HOLE 3 WAYS

Steps:

• For the toast and eggs: Neatly remove the centers of the bread slices, leaving a 1/2-inch rim inside the crust (reserve the bread centers for another use). Lightly beat the eggs in a medium bowl with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper.
• Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• For the Denver omelet: Add the ham and bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the ham is slightly browned and the pepper is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Reduce the heat to low. Fit the bread crusts into the skillet. While holding down the bread to create a seal and barrier, pour about a quarter of the egg mixture into the center of each crust. Split the ham and vegetable mixture between the crusts. Top each with 1/4 cup cheese, then top with the remaining egg mixture. Cover with a lid or foil and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the toasts and cook until the egg is set, another 3 minutes. Transfer each to a separate plate cheese-side up and sprinkle with the chives.
• For the spinach omelet: Add the spinach and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted and the bell pepper is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Reduce the heat to low. Fit the bread crusts into the skillet. While holding down the bread to create a seal and barrier, pour about a quarter of the egg mixture into the center of each crust. Split the spinach mixture between the crusts. Top each with 1/4 cup cheese, then top with the remaining egg mixture. Cook as above, then garnish with the basil instead of the chives.
• For the sausage and mushroom omelet: Add the mushrooms and sausage to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is completely browned and the mushrooms are softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
• Reduce the heat to low. Fit the bread crusts into the skillet. While holding down the bread to create a seal and barrier, pour about a quarter of the egg mixture into the center of each crust. Split the sausage mixture between the crusts. Top each with 1/4 cup cheese, then top with the remaining egg mixture. Cook as above, then garnish with the parsley instead of the chives.

"MIND BLOWING" TURKEY SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a small rimmed baking sheet, spread the tomatoes, olive oil, salt, garlic and basil. Toss well to coat. Roast until the tomatoes are popped and beginning to brown, about 25 minutes. Allow to cool slightly.
• For the spread: Mix together the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl.
• For the sandwich: Lay out the bread and spread the mayonnaise-mustard mixture on each slice. Working 2 slices at a time, place 2 lettuce leaves on one slice and about 6 roasted tomatoes on the opposite slice. Ribbon 3 slices of turkey on the lettuce. Place the 2 halves together and secure with 2 toothpicks with a cornichon on each one. Continue with the remaining ingredients. Cut in half before serving.