UPDATE: 9/9/13 Pesto & Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Update- Pesto Chicken Salad sandwiches: I think my proportions have been all wrong. I now use 1 full cup of pesto to 1/2 cup Greek Yogurt, and the rest of the recipe as usual. (The recipe link is way on the bottom of this post.)

And this pesto is a bit different. I think the recipe is the same BUT the garlic AND the pine nuts are both toasted. Yum.

 

6/5/10Last summer was the Summer of Pesto. I discovered pesto and then tried growing my own basil. Ithink I did pretty well! I started supplementing my meager harvests with cheap bundles of basil from farmer's markets. I couldn't keep up my demand though :) I had a few 1/2 cup bags frozen for a bit but I did use it up quickly.

This first pesto picture is from last summer. It's a very good basic pesto recipe. No fuss.

Click here for the stolen recipe for last summer's Pesto.

I made this next pesto yesterday with a new recipe. I already mentioned it but here is the recipe again. I can't say if this will be my new recipe yet but it was just as simple. It's a neat shade of green! Very fresh looking.

Click here for the stolen recipe for this Pesto.

And ooooh here's my picture of the Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches from last summer. We've usually served them in pita bread with some fresh greens. I follow the recipe kinda but I use about 1/2 cup of my pesto and about 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt with all of the other ingredients. It's a wonderful sandwich!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Pesto Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

I can't say that I'll be making a lot of pesto this summer. Pine nut prices are a bit much. I think I heard a mention of a shortage? Bummer.

 

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Slow Cooker Beef Dip Sandwiches with caramelized onions

We usually cheat with French Dip sandwiches 'round here. I buy Angus roast beef from the deli and au jus in a jar. I saw this recipe and thought this was my chance to make it "homemade".

The beef smelled heavenly all day. It slow cooked for 8 hours in beef broth, Lipton onion mix, and an au jus packet mix. The resulting au jus was a bit much, I think next time I would do without the au jus packet. I think Lipton mix is much too processed anyway, but I have yet to find a good substitute. (Note to self: keep looking!)

The beef fell apart and made for good leftovers. I sliced the beef in pretty thick pieces and assembled the sandwiches with some caramelized onions and provolone cheese. A quick few minutes in the broiler heated it all up and toasted the bread slightly. YUM.

Click here for the stolen recipe for Slow Cooker Beef Dip Sandwiches. (printable recipe at this link)

Classic Patty Melts on Rye

I've really enjoyed Jim's grilling lately!

He's been inspired by his newest cookbook but for this recipe he turned to another book that he has- Weber's Way to Grill. This was a pretty easy recipe, for both Jim and ME. I only had to make the coleslaw :)

These were probably a pretty basic burger but the rye bread, caramelized onions, and Swiss cheese really, really added to it. Wow. I didn't even know I liked rye bread! Good job Jim, for picking out a great recipe :)

The money shot-

This recipe is from one of our cookbooks but I found the recipe online.

Click here for the stolen recipe for Classic Patty Melts on Rye.

Lunch for Jim

We didn't have much for food in the house, we thought, and so when Jim went outside to mow the lawn I found something to make.

Egg salad sandwiches. My Mom used to make them a lot when I was young, and I was trying to think... does she put black olives in them? Sure, why not. Pickles? Yeah, that was it. In they go. Jalapenos? I wish I had some. Celery? Yeah, I have it. Grey Poupon? But of course.

They turned out really well. No exact recipe, just threw a bunch of things in the bowl. I was careful not to use too much mayo though and my eggs were cooked perfectly.

Crockpot pulled pork sandwiches

Updated to include a picture! We revisit this recipe often. This time my dear, wonderful husband made this recipe and it was waiting for me when I got home from a long day at work. The smell was wonderful when I walked through that door!

Now I didn't get a picture of the finished product but I remember taking this picture in November and thinking that even the spices look pretty! And they naturally just looked like a heart so I stopped to take the picture. And then I didn't take any more pictures. Oh well. (Never fear- there are great pictures on the blog site linked below!)

We've made this pulled pork recipe a few times now and we love it. It makes TONS and it freezes well. It's very easy to make, and ahead of time! That's the best- being organized and thinking things out ahead of time. I love when I'm organized like THAT.





Click here for the stolen recipe for Crockpot Pulled Pork.