#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Griddled Goodness Sandwich

April 26, 2011 · Narrative

Oozing GoodnessThere is this little tiny lunch place in downtown Madison (New Jersey) that I used to go to a lot when I lived and worked in the area.  It’s called, aptly enough, Lunch.  More specifically Central Lunch, because it’s on Central Avenue.  It’s in a little railroad car and maybe it seats ten on a good day.  Like the famed Cheers Pub in Boston, the kind of place where everyone knows  everyone when they walk in.  One little booth and the rest are bar stools.  The bar stools being the best spot because then you can watch Joe, chief cook and bottle washer, make all the food right in front of you.  Love that.

They have the best grilled cheese ever, and I was determined to learn Joe’s secret.  He finally told me (and I also started paying closer attention when he made them too).  He puts the cheese right on the griddle. Not on the bread to protect it.  Right in the line of fire, so to speak.  Now, because you’re putting it right on the heat, it’s really on and off very quickly.  One second too long and it’s worthless.  But I promise you this, it makes the best grilled cheese ever.

Beyond that, Lunch is also known for their Klondike sandwiches.  Many varieties are available, but it is a sandwich stuffed with diced, cooked potatoes and cheese.  I haven’t had one in a good ten years and now that I’m telling you about it, I want one.  Now.  Forget the amount of hours (and scale obsessing) it would take me to reconcile it.  It matters not.  John F. Kennedy, Jr. used to stop in for a Klondike sandwich on his way to Caldwell Airport, and he even carved his initials into one of the bar stools.  The Klondike he ordered was named after him (if memory serves me, it includes lettuce and tomatoes).  Lunch was the perfect little spot where he could go in quietly and feed his appetite, escaping before people started finding out he was ever there.

Putting the cheese right on the heat is one of the secrets to this Griddled Goodness sandwich I’ve been making.  It all started when Sarah posted about her inside out onion roll.  What a fun idea, I thought, and instantly bought some the next day.  But what to do inside?  I started playing around with mushrooms, onions, the gorgonzola right on the heat, and then some honey ham.  Put it all together and although it’s the teensiest bit messy, it’s worth every drip.

Inside Out Sandwich

A little inspiration from Joe at Lunch + a little JFK, Jr. trivia + an inside out onion roll courtesy of Sarah = Griddled Goodness.  The same says it all.

PS – A few more of my recipes have gone up at Betty Crocker; be sure to check them out when you get a chance!

  • Greek-Inspired Turkey Burgers
  • Chicken, Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

Project 365
April 26, 2011, Photo #115

Target NakednessWhen both kids were out of school today, they immediately mentioned the heat.  It had shot up to 83 degrees.  New Jersey is funny like that.  One day there’s a chill in the air and the heat is on, the next day, Nick is applying ice packs to his neck to cool down, with a dripping popsicle in his hand.  Madeline went to school with leggings on, which, by the way, she won’t wear if you call them leggings.  They are SOFT PANTS, thankyouverymuch.  After a quick stop at Target on the way home, she was begging to wear shorts because “I’m sweating, baby!”  I bought her a few pairs and as you can see, she couldn’t wait until we got home (or even, at least, in the car!) to put them on.  That’s my kid, half naked in Target.

First DQ of the SeasonCelebrating the first really warm day of the season sounded like a good excuse to take a quick run to Dairy Queen.  “I think this is the first time you guys have been to Dairy Queen,” I said as we pulled into the very busy parking lot.  Nick quickly corrected me.  Apparently one of their aunts has, ahem, already beat me to it.

Parting Shot

Griddled Goodness Sandwich
Recipe courtesy of Cate O’Malley

extra virgin olive oil
small onion, sliced thin
3-4 baby portobella mushrooms, sliced
Mrs. Dash salt-free Garlic & Herb seasoning
three slices of thin sliced honey ham
Gorgonzola cheese, about 1-1/2 tablespoons
onion roll

Caramelized Onions and Bellas

Cheese Right on the Heat

Heat a skillet on medium heat and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.  Once it’s warm, add the onions and saute until they are translucent and begin to caramelize, about 4-5 minutes.  Add the mushrooms and cook until softened.  Add Mrs. Dash to taste.  Remove from pan.  Slice open your onion roll, drizzle the inside with a bit of extra virgin olive oil and put it on pan, with the inside of the roll down.  Heat for a minute until it begins to get golden.  Remove from pan and put on plate, onion side up.  Smoosh it down to flatten it a bit and add the caramelized mushrooms and onions.  Put a tiny bit of oil in the pan, and add the slices of honey ham, turning after about 45 seconds, just as they begin to get golden.  Remove from pan and add to your mushrooms and onions.  Add the Gorgonzola cheese to the pan, let it start to melt and then, using a spatula, remove from pan and add to your sandwich.  It will only be 10 seconds or so, so watch it carefully.  Put the top of the roll on top of your sandwich, flatten a bit, cut it in half and enjoy!

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Betty Crocker, Central Lunch, Cheers Pub, Dairy Queen, gorgonzola, Greek-Inspired Turkey Burgers, John F. Kennedy, Jr., Klondike sandwich, Madison New Jersey, onion roll, sandwich recipe

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    April 26, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    Totally drooling. YUM!

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    April 27, 2011 at 6:19 am

    Cheese ON the pan…got it! I’ve heard you can do that on the George Foreman but I’ve always been a bit wary…guess it’s time to give it a go!

    Reply
  3. The Sister In-Law says

    April 27, 2011 at 7:06 am

    Guilty as charged, I’ve taken them several times to Dairy Queen.

    SIL

    Reply
  4. Ramona says

    April 27, 2011 at 9:01 am

    We only have one DQ and it’s not any where near us. Which is probably a good thing for my diet.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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