Gladiator Bun Recipes

GLADIATOR BUN

Steps:

• For the eggplant: Cover a large baking sheet with a paper towel. Lay the eggplant slices over in a single layer, sprinkling pinches of salt over the surface. Cover with another paper towel and repeat with another layer. Let the eggplants sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This will draw any excess water out of the vegetable, making it better for frying.
• Bring the tomato sauce to a boil in a pot. Reduce the heat gradually every 7 minutes until the sauce reaches a slow simmer.
• Mix together the breadcrumbs, basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder and some salt and black pepper in a large shallow container. Whisk together the eggs in another large shallow container. Dip each eggplant slice in the egg, and then coat both sides in the breadcrumb mixture.
• For frying and assembly: Heat a large frying pan over medium heat until hot.
• Meanwhile, saute the onions and green peppers for 2 to 3 minutes in a small pan and set aside.
• Pour 1/2 cup of the grapeseed oil into the hot pan. Watch for ribbons forming in the oil, then add the eggplant slices one at a time in a single layer. Depending on the size, it is important to only cook as many as the pan allows for. Fry until a light caramel color, then flip and fry the other side. Transfer to a flat paper-towel-lined plate.
• Once all of the eggplant has been fried, pour in the remaining oil and repeat the same process with the veal, transferring to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• Place a spoonful of onions and green peppers on the bottom of the buns, topped with a spoonful of the tomato sauce. Cut the veal in half or in thirds to make them the same size as the buns. Add 3 layers of veal to each bun, then sprinkle with mozzarella and a bit more of the tomato sauce. Layer 3 to 4 eggplant slices on top. Sprinkle some of the mozzarella again, top with more tomato sauce and finish with a dusting of the Parmesan. Place the top buns on and voila! Behold the Gladiator on a Bun!

KALBI BUN

Steps:

• Puree the onions and garlic in a food processor until smooth, adding a splash of water if needed. Pour the puree over the beef and let sit it at room temperature for 45 to 60 minutes. (This step is to tenderize the meat. If you are worried about leaving meat out, place it in the refrigerator for 2 hours.)
• Whisk the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar, corn syrup, sugar, sesame oil, ginger, cola, apple soda and 1/2 cup room temperature water until well incorporated. Pour the mixture over the beef and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
• Set a skillet over high heat and get the oil scorching hot. Drop in the beef and listen for a sizzle when it hits the pan. (We are looking for a sear on the bottom, so do not touch the meat for first 2 minutes; let the pan do the work.) Once the edges of the meat are brown, mix it up while scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Cook until the meat juices have reduced by half and been absorbed into the beef, about 10 minutes.
• Set up a steamer and steam the frozen gua bao buns until they have a soft, pillow-like texture, 3 to 5 minutes. Carefully open the steamed buns and drizzle some spicy aioli inside. Add a layer of baby greens and then, with a spoon or tongs, place the beef on top of the greens. Garnish the beef with tempura onions.
• Mix the mayonnaise, hot sauce, sour cream, corn syrup, sambal, honey, sesame oil and garlic in a bowl. Whisk until smooth. (Add half the amount of hot sauce and double the sour cream for milder heat.)
• Heat the oil in a pot to 350 degrees F for frying.
• Season the buttermilk with salt and pepper and set aside. Whisk the tempura flour, sprite, and 1/4 cup ice-cold water to get a pancake batter consistency. Dip the onions in the buttermilk, then coat them with the batter. Fry the onions until amber brown, then drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

SPICE BUN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Dissolve the sugar, butter, honey, and mixed spice in the Dragon Stout on low heat.
• Mix flour, baking powder and fruit. Beat eggs and mix all ingredients together.
• Placed in greased and lined 8-inch square tin. Bake for approximately 1 hour. Serve topped with soft cheese.

BUN GIORNO!

Steps:

• Make the dough: Combine the yeast, sugar and 1 cup warm water (100 degrees F to 105 degrees F) in a food processor and pulse once. Let sit until foamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the olive oil and pulse to combine. Combine the flour and salt in a medium bowl, then add to the food processor and pulse until the dough comes together. Transfer to a lightly floured surface and form into a ball. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 2 to 4 hours.
• Make the rolls: Stretch the dough into an 8-by-12-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Spread the marinara sauce on the dough all the way to the edge; top with the pepperoni and 1 3/4 cups mozzarella. Starting from a long side, tightly roll up the dough, slightly stretching as you go, to form a 14-inch-long log.
• Coat the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square baking dish (preferably glass or light metal) with cooking spray, then line the bottom and sides with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Cut the log crosswise into 9 rounds. Arrange cut-side up in the prepared pan in 3 rows of 3, slightly touching. Cover with foil and set aside, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Bake the rolls, covered, until the cheese begins to melt and the rolls are puffy, about 20 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden brown, about 20 more minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella and the parmesan; continue baking until the cheese melts, about 7 more minutes. Let cool slightly in the pan. Top with basil.

GRINDER BUNS... LIKE MANCINO'S ABM

Steps:

• Put first 6 ingredients into bread machine in order that your machine calls for. Mine is water, lard,sugar, salt, flour then yeast.
• Set machine to dough setting and let run through.
• Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray then sprinkle very lightly with cornmeal.
• Divide dough into 4 equal parts. Take each part and roll it into a rope about 12 inches long. Set the rope down, then flatten to about 3 -4 inches wide and roughly square off the ends with your fingers. Should look like a flat rectangle.
• Place shaped dough onto prepared pan.
• Spray plastic wrap with olive oil spray and cover dough spray side down and let rise until doubled in size.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Remove plastic wrap from dough. Mix together 3 Tbs cold water and the cornstarch. Brush cornstarch mixture over the rolls then put in oven. Discard remaining cornstarch mixture.
• Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
• Let cool completely.
• To slice in half for hoagies, place the bun flat on the counter. Place your hand on top of the bun, holding it flat down, while you slice through it with a long serrated bread knife.
• Fill with your fave fillings and enjoy!