Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich

Can You Say Philly Cheese Steak?

A Philly Cheese Steak ain’t no joke!  There are franchise’s back east that have been battling out the sandwich wars for decades.  And, if you’re a Steak and Cheese fan, then you know which restaurant you support.  I found a link that shows the top ten locations for authentic Philadelphia Cheese Steaks, and it talks a little bit about the history of each one as well.  Apparently the original sandwich started at a hot dog stand and Wikipedia talks all about it here, History of the Cheese Steak!

Flat out, I don’t make it exactly the same way.  The original recipes use Cheese Wiz and I use Nacho Cheese, instead.  So, you’ll either love it or you won’t.  Both Cheese’s come from a can so basically, with my recipe, you’re getting the same thing, only with my sandwich, your getting a little kick too.  I find this to be much more satisfying because I like my Philly Cheese Steak a little on the spicy side.

Philly Cheese Steak Ingredients:

1 lb Sliced Beef
1 qt Water
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 can Nacho Cheese or Cheese Whiz
Sub Sandwich Rolls
1/2 Sliced onion
1 Chopped Garlic Clove
Salt and Pepper to taste
Olive Oil for cooking

Combine the water and Baking soda and add the Sliced Beef.  Marinate for 20 minutes to tenderize.  Saute your Onions with olive oil and Garlic.  Strain the beef and cook thoroughly on medium high heat. Butter the Sub roll and toast on a flat skillet.  Then add the cooked Beef, Onions and Nacho Cheese to your toasted sub roll and enjoy your Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich!

Mac and Cheese Clarkston Union Style

Great Mac and Cheese

If you haven’t seen the Mac and Cheese special that Kid Rock appears in on “Diners, Drive In’s and Dives“, then you’re in for a real treat!  The Clarkston Union has a Macaroni and Cheese recipe that will knock your socks off.  I’m talking about Classic Macaroni Pasta cooked with Creamy Layers of Cheddar Cheese, topped with Mozzarella, Bread Crumbs and then baked to perfection.  You end up with tender creamy pasta, Stretchy Cheese and a light layered Mozzarella crunch, from the bread crumbs, with every bite you sink your teeth into. And, If that doesn’t sound good enough, believe this… I figured out how to make it from a box!

Mac and Cheese from a Box

Personally I’ve never been a real big fan of the standard box recipe, but my kids sure love it, and if it’s on the menu when we dine out for something a little more exotic than what kid taste buds are ready for, then we order it.  I don’t know if you’re like me, though, anything my kids order, I usually try for myself.  Usually when it comes to kids meals in restaurants, especially Mac and Cheese, I’m rarely impressed.  And since Macaroni and Cheese is such a big deal for children, you would think that the recipe would be a little more perfected in restaurants by now.  I mean, don’t you think it’s sad that a box of Kraft or even the “Generic” brand has got your local Chefs beat?  Well not at Clarkston Union, and I’m going to show you how to take a regular box of Mac and Cheese and turn it into a Clarkston Union Style Macaroni.

Mac and Cheese Ingredients:

1 Box of Cooked Macaroni
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 cup Chopped Onion (Optional)
1/4 cup of Butter
1/2 cup of Half and Half or Cream
1/4 tsp Nutmeg
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1 Cheese packet
3 slices of Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 tbsp Bread Crumbs or Panko

Follow the Mac and Cheese box instructions to cook the Macaroni.  Strain, add the olive oil and stir it all together.  In a hot pan add the butter, then 1/4 cup (half) of the Half and Half or Cream (Also the onions if you’re using them).  Add the dry ingredients, Nutmeg and Pepper.  Bring to a boil and add a touch more of the cream just to calm the boil, then add the powdered cheese mix and then the Macaroni Pasta.  Stir while adding the rest of the Half and Half.  Be careful not to drown the pasta but be sure that it’s cream and not dried out when you are done stirring.  Remove from the heat and add enough Mac and Cheese to cover the bottom of an oven dish.  Add the Cheddar Cheese, then cover with the remaining Macaroni.  Add the Mozzarella Cheese and Panko, then Bake at 425 degrees in the center of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes.  Let the Mac and Cheese Cool for a few minutes then serve.

Cinco De Mayo Video Recipes

Cinco De Mayo

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

Being that Cinco De Mayo is this Coming Monday, the 5th, I imagine that everyone will be celebrating this weekend.  And, in honor of this Holiday and Mexican Tradition, I’ve put together a playlist of Poor Man’s Gourmet Kitchen Mexican Recipes.  Everything from Salsa and Guacamole, to Carne Asada, Chili Rellenos, or Margaritas.  There’s a lot to choose from.  So if you’re Celebrating this Holiday tradition, Cinco De Mayo, or you’d at least like to have some Great Mexican food, check out these recipes today and start planning your meals immediately.

Here’s the link (Click Here), to my Mexican Video Playlist, but the videos are also listed on the right side of this page!   And, Happy Cinco De Mayo!