Sarasota's Cheddar, Pickled Cucumber & Onion Sandwich |
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Prep Time: 1440 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes |
Ready In: 1450 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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This was a sandwich I used to get from a small English Pub up in Manistee, Michigan years ago. I still love it - and it is so simple.They were nice enough to give me the recipe which I follow to a tee to this day - NO changes. Now, with just a few ingredients, don't change out anything. A good pumpernickel bread, buy a good deli bread it isn't expensive. A nice white cheddar, right from your grocers deli (and don't get the cheap pre-packaged stuff) you are only buying a few slices, and it will be cheaper than buying a package of the cheaper brand. And pickled cucumbers and onions. A sweet onion and seedless cucumbers. If you can't find seedless, just take the time to lightly seed - it isn't hard. And boursin cheese or a soft cheese with chives. Simply grilled and so worth it. Now at the restaurant they also served this cold, but just about everyone ordered it grilled. The combo on the menu was a crock of either their signature potato chowder chowder or corn chowder. Believe it or not, the combo on the menu including a drink was $3.99 ... what a deal! Those were the days. Ingredients:
8 slices dark pumpernickel bread |
8 slices white cheddar cheese, 2 slices per sandwich (thick sliced, no thin) |
1 cup pickled cucumbers and onion, see recipe below (1/4-1/2 cup per sandwich) |
4 tablespoons cream cheese with chives (or a soft herb cheese such as boursin) |
butter |
2 -3 medium english seedless cucumbers, peeled and cut in half lengthwise and then thin sliced (depending on the size of the cucumber) |
1 large onion, cut in quarters and then thin sliced (sweet onion) |
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar (no substitutes) |
6 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (no substitutes) |
2 teaspoons kosher salt, you can a little more if you want it a bit saltier (no table salt) |
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper |
Directions:
1. Cucumbers and Onions - Now this can be done early that day or even the night before which is even better. Very simple - just mix the vinegars, salt and pepper, cucumbers and onions and toss well and cover with saran wrap. That's it. Make sure you use a NON-metal bowl.
2. Sandwich - Spread 1 tablespoon of the soft cheese with chives on the first slice of bread. Top with the pickled cucumbers and onions, use a slotted spoon so you don't get any juice. The cucumber and onions have already absorbed all the flavor. Then, top with 2 slices of cheese and the top slice of bread.
3. Grill - Butter the top slice of bread and put that side down first on your grill pan or in your saute pan. Then butter the other slice. Grill until side 1 is lightly toasted and flip. It will only take a few more minutes on the second side until the cheese is melted.
4. Serve - Enjoy this with a bowl of your favorite chowder and some potato chips for a nice dinner.
5. The preparation time includes making the pickled onions and cucumbers.
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