The New Bistro Dagwood Recipes

VEGETARIAN DAGWOOD

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add lemon, garlic and onion but keep separate. Turn lemon and garlic frequently to soften; leave onion rings unturned. After about 3 minutes, transfer lemon and garlic to paper towels and set aside. Increase heat to medium-high, turn onions and cook until soft and golden. Sprinkle with sugar, salt and pepper. Add vinegar and glaze onions. Transfer to a plate.
• Place peppers in same skillet in a single layer and coat with any remaining vinegar in skillet. Turn peppers, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until just beginning to soften. Transfer peppers to a separate plate.
• Wipe skillet with paper towel and return to high heat. Brush eggplant slices on both sides with remaining olive oil. Add to hot skillet in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until deep brown on both sides, 7 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and transfer to paper towels.
• While eggplant browns, chop reserved garlic and lemon, and stir it into mayonnaise along with olives and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• To build sandwiches: Spread focaccia slices with mayonnaise. Layer onions, peppers, eggplant, tomato, cheese, basil and romaine in an order that pleases you. Cut and serve immediately.

MAKE-AHEAD DAGWOOD SANDWICHES

Steps:

• With long serrated knife, cut bread in half horizontally. Spread cut side of each bread bottom with half of the spreadable cheese. Overlapping slices, arrange remaining ingredients except pesto in order listed over each bread bottom. Spread cut side of each bread top with half of the pesto, and place over arugula.
• Place each whole loaf in large food-storage plastic bag; seal and refrigerate topped with cast-iron skillet or other heavy weight up to 24 hours.
• When ready to serve, cut each loaf into 6 equal sandwiches. Secure sandwiches with toothpicks or small skewers.

DAGWOOD SANDWICH

Steps:

• Slice open French buns and assemble the sandwich of your dreams. Use the ingredients in any combination you wish. There are no rules when making this dagwood sandwich.

THE NEW BISTRO DAGWOOD

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, add tomato slices. Sprinkle with sugar and salt. Let sit while preparing sandwich.
• 2. In a medium bowl, stir together raspberry preserves, mustard, and basil until well combined.
• 3. In a large, nonstick skillet, over medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add onions. Cook, stirring occasionally, 5-6 minutes or until soft and tender. Remove from heat; transfer onions to a plate.
• 4. Wipe skillet clean. Spread butter over both sides of bread slices. Place on skillet, over medium heat; toast lightly on both sides, about 3 minutes.
• 5. To assemble: Spread raspberry-mustard on one side of 2 bread slices. Top each with arugula, one slice of Monterey Jack cheese, layer 2 slices of pastrami, tomato slices, and peperoncini. Spread raspberry-mustard on one side of 2 bread slices; place raspberry-mustard side up on each sandwich. Top each with 2 slices Gouda cheese, layer 2 slices smoked turkey, arugula, and sautéed onions. Sprinkle each sandwich with black pepper to taste. Close with remaining bread slices. Use a toothpick to secure a basil leaf and a black olive on top of each sandwich.