Jan D'Atri

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Egg Battered Grilled Sandwiches

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It’s National Sandwich Month, and last week I shared a recipe for the Ultimate Tuna Melt. This week, I’ve got a tasty twist on your favorite sandwich that is reminiscent of the classic 50’s favorite, the Monte Cristo Sandwich. This method will work on just about any sandwich you love, but we’re going to build the sandwich, dip it in an egg and milk batter and grill it to perfection! The outside tastes a bit like French Toast, and the inside has the delicious melted cheese and deli meats!

For a bit of background, the Monte Cristo is a variation of the French croque-monsieur (The name is based on croquer (“to crunch”) and the word monsieur (“mister”) which originated in French cafés and bars as a quick snack.)  It was once a favorite sandwich when deep frying foods was more popular. The Monte Cristo was often fried, sprinkled with powdered sugar and dipped in jelly.

My egg-battered and grilled sandwich version eliminates the deep frying, and the sandwich is dipped into the batter very quickly just to coat. I’ve made this sandwich with turkey and cheese, prosciutto, salami and cheese and even a caprese version with sliced mozzarella, tomato and slivered basil, and they are equally as delicious! Make up a batch and snack on them all week long while enjoying this month long sandwich celebration!

Watch my How To Video for Egg Battered Grilled Sandwiches here!

Ultimate Tuna Melt

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I’m not sure “a comeback” is quite accurate. That’s what social media claims is happening with the Classic Tuna Melt. I say that because I’m not sure its popularity ever went away. But perhaps it’s getting more attention these days because a lot more people are consuming canned tuna. Reddit, the aggregate of social media news, claims that references to canned tuna are up more than 60% among its nearly 19 million member food community. I’m sure it all started when the pandemic hit.  We were all a bit panicked and started filling our pantries with canned foods, and tuna was flying off the shelf. Well, what better way to use up some of those cans than by making the sandwich that’s been a favorite for decades?  Where its popularity all started is a bit unclear. Some references claim that The Tuna Melt was invented at the Woolworth’s lunch counter on King Street in Charleston, South Carolina. Other articles say that the popularity of the Tuna Melt was the work of Kraft Foods which wanted to prove the versatility of their Velveeta cheese. One way or the other, this ironic sandwich caught a wave of popularity and never let up. This particular recipe is for the Ultimate Tuna Melt, and trust me, it’s fully loaded. The Tuna mixture is a combination of creamy dressing, crunchy veggies and relish for sweetness. Then, two cheeses get added to mix; a slice of your favorite cheese and a shredded mozzarella. The bread? Entirely your call, but in order to make it Ultimate, you’ve got to spread mayonnaise on both sides of the bread, which adds a rich flavor and a beautiful deep golden brown crust. This month is National Sandwich Month! This one’s in the can!

Chicken Salsa Lettuce Wraps

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One of the best ways to infuse grilled or skillet chicken is by marinating it first. Often, recipes call for marinating the chicken for 6 hours or overnight. But with this savory Southwestern dish, one hour will do the trick! If you’re looking for a light, satisfying meal with tons of flavor but low on calories, this Southwest Chicken Salsa Lettuce Wrap recipe is for you! It starts with skinless, boneless chicken thighs. You could use chicken breasts if you prefer, but the thighs are super moist and flavorful. They get marinated in a simple combination of citrus, spices, garlic and a little olive oil. The result is a subtle south of the border flavor. More bright flavor is added when you combine the ingredients for a refreshing salsa with a delightful mixture of jalapeno, mango, tomato, cilantro, red onion and lime juice! We’re forgoing the tortillas for this dish (although this combination is fantastic filling for either corn or flour tortillas.) Instead, Bib lettuce, also known as Butter lettuce, makes for a healthful, lighter version of a Mexican favorite! Make sure the lettuce leaves are large enough to fill with this wonderful combination of marinated and grilled chicken and salsa! Light, healthful and delicious. That’s my kind of meal anytime!

Watch my How To Video For Chicken Salsa Lettuce Wraps Here!