Jan D'Atri

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horseradish

Caramelized Ham and Swiss Baked Buns

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The Big Game comes with big appetites. Rooting for your favorite team, yelling at the officials, fist bumping after great play – it all makes a football fan downright hungry. So let me help by sharing a recipe that has always been a crowd pleaser, especially for a day as big as Super Bowl Sunday. Caramelized Ham and Swiss Baked Buns tends to resurface every few years, with new, updated variations on the theme. Basically what you have here is a casserole of hot sandwiches filled with ham and cheese and a sauce poured over the top. No, no. That’s not quite accurate. What you really have here is a slightly sweet billowy bun with a little slather of horseradish sauce, onto which black forest ham and swiss cheese is layered, and then a sweet and savory butter sauce does its magic in the oven. The tops of the sandwiches get caramelized and glazed, the cheese inside melts and melds with the horseradish sauce, and you find yourself in a situation where you just can’t pass one up. Yep, that’s a much better description. Now, as I’ve said, there are many versions of this recipe including potato or dinner rolls, but the classic version is the Hawaiian sweet rolls. The original recipe also calls for ham and swiss cheese for the filling, but substitutions have included turkey or pastrami. Also, horseradish sauce is often substituted for butter or mayonnaise. But I say, why mess with a good thing? Folks love this dish, and when you make it for this weekend’s big game, you’ll see why.

Brussels Sprouts Salad with Dijon Horseradish Vinaigrette

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There is no middle of the road when it comes to this vegetable. You either love Brussels Sprouts or you don’t. But if you would trust me on this one, you’ll find that this is the recipe that will change your mind if you’re not a fan of the little leafy bulb. Prepared much like the cabbage for Coleslaw, this Brussels Sprouts Salad with Dijon Horseradish Vinaigrette will introduce you to a brand new and incredibly delicious way to experience the vegetable that is generally sautéed or roasted.

Years ago, in our great-grandparents generation, the Brussels sprout had a much more bitter taste. But with new farming and breeding techniques, the bitterness has decreased while the nutrient value has increased, spurring a renaissance in production and consumption of the “new” better-tasting Brussels sprout.

For this recipe, we have Chef Ryan Clark, the executive chef of Agustin Kitchen in Tucson, to thank. Chef Clark, a three time Iron Chef winner, two-time World Margarita Champion, and author of “Modern Southwest Cooking,” prepared this salad for a Fall Festive Entertaining event at AJ’s Fine Foods in Tucson this month, and the dish absolutely wowed the crowd. With the holidays upon us, Chef Clark’s Brussels Sprouts Salad is the perfect make-ahead dish for a large gathering. It is also a wonderful side, or even a main meal salad when served with hearty fresh French bread and butter!

By the way, I’ve been fortunate to host the AJ’s Festive Entertaining Series for 3 years now. Our final event is November 15th at AJ’s at 44th St. and Camelback. Stop by and meet top chefs like Ryan Clark. Again, if you trust me on this one, fresh shaved Brussels sprouts salad with this sensational vinaigrette will be a brand new favorite!