Italian Beef Sandwiches

Update:  Feel free to cook the meat as directed below, but our new favorite way to prepare the meat is found here:  crispy beef & pork

2 c. giardiniera pickled vegetables, plus 1 Tbs. brine

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1 1/2 lbs. shaved steak (or slice it as thin as you can)

1 tsp. garlic powder

salt & pepper

2 Tbs. vegetable oil

1/4 c. finely chopped onion

1/2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. flour

2 c. beef broth

4-8 ciabatta rolls split lengthwise 

1.  Pulse giardiniera and mayonnaise until finely ground, set aside.

2.  Season the beef with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3.  Heat 1 Tbs. oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add half of the beef, breaking up any clumps, cook for 2-3 minutes.  Remove from skillet and repeat with remaining oil and beef.  Remove to a plate.

4.  Add a little oil and onion to now-empty skillet, cook for 1-2 minutes.  Stir in oregano, garlic, and flour. Then add the broth and brine, scraping up any browned bits.  Simmer until the mixture reduces to 1 cup, about 8 minutes.

5.  Turn off the heat, add the beef back to the skillet and stir to combine.

6.  Spread giardiniera mixture on rolls, then top with beef.

{from Cook It In Cast Iron}

Easy Breadsticks

2 1/4 c. water

3 Tbs. sugar

1 1/2 Tbs.  yeast

3/4 tsp. salt

4 1/2 c. flour

1/4 c. melted butter

1/4 c. mayonnaise

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

1.  Combine water, sugar, and yeast.  Let sit 5 minutes or until bubbly.

2.  Add flour and salt, mix well.  *It is a sticky dough, if it is really sticky, add another 1-2 Tbs. of flour.

3.  Press the dough into a greased large cookie sheet (you'll need to grease your fingers too).

4.  Combine the butter, mayonnaise, and parmesan and spread over the dough.

5.  Let rise in a warm place for about 40 minutes.

6.  Bake at 400 for 15 minutes.

7.  Cut into sections after baking.

{from Merry Green}

Breadtwists

1 1/2 c. warm water

2 Tbs. sugar

1 Tbs. yeast

3 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

4 Tbs. melted butter (maybe more)

grated parmesan cheese

Seasoning (choose one):

garlic powder

onion powder

Italian seasoning

1.  In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine water, sugar, and yeast.  Let sit for 5 minutes, until the yeast is bubbly.

2.  Add the flour and salt, and mix until the dough is smooth.   Cover and let rise 10-15 minutes.

3.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a large rectangle.

4.  Brush the dough with melted butter and sprinkle seasoning and parmesan cheese on top.

5.  Fold the dough over onto itself so the buttered sides are touching.

6.  Cut the dough into 1 inch strips, twist, then place each twist on a cookie sheet.

7.  Brush the top of the breadtwists with melted butter.  Let rise for about 20 minutes, while oven preheats to 400 degrees.

8.  Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Adapted from thebakerupstairs.com

Homemade Pudding

1/2 c. sugar

2 Tbs. cornstarch

1/4. tsp salt

2 c. whole milk

2 egg yolks

2 Tbs. butter

1 tsp. vanilla

For chocolate pudding add:

1 1/2 Tbs. cocoa 

1.  In a saucepan, mix the sugar, cornstarch, and salt (and cocoa if needed).

2.  Add milk and egg yolks and whisk together.

3.  Turn on stove to medium heat.

4.  Cook, whisking continually until thick and bubbly (5-8 minutes).

5.  Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.  Stir until melted.

6.  Enjoy while still warm!

From: Angie Chandler