Old Skool Playa

My birthday was back in August and seeing how much I love to cook, and love a good sandwich, my brother and his girlfriend gave me a cookbook as part of my birthday present. This was not just any cookbook. This was "The Big New York Sandwich Book". The book is chocked full fabulous sandwich creations "from the city's greatest restaurants and chefs."

The Old Skool Playa is an oldie but a goodie and I couldn't help myself from making it for lunch. This is a grilled cheese West Village style according to the book. Murrays' Cheese Shop has been around since the 1940's and you will find hundreds of cheeses to choose from (tastings included!) They took a classic grilled cheese recipe, and rather than cooking it on the stove-top they broiled it in the oven for an even crunchier, tastier American favorite.

You Will Need:

• 3 slices thick smoky bacon
• 2 slices bread of your choice
• Butter
• 3 oz sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 slices tomato

Here We Go:

• Heat a skillet over medium-low heat and cook the bacon to desired degree of doneness; drain
• Preheat the broiler
• Butter the bottoms of each piece of bread and evenly distribute the cheese across both slices of bread
• Put the pieces of bacon on top of one half of the bread slices
• Place the bread on a baking sheet and toast until they're golden brown
• Remove from oven, add tomato to cheese and bacon slice, and close the sandwich

Serves 1
Happy Feasting!

Twice Baked Potatoes and an Anniversary!

Yesterday was our one year anniversary! It is hard to believe that it has already been a year. I feel like we just moved to Charlottesville, when in actuality we are now living in Winston - Salem and are about to get two puppies in a matter of two weeks! Hank (yellow lab) and Polly (pug) will be seven and eight weeks respectively and we cannot wait for the sleepless nights and crate training that will soon follow :-)

Last night we cooked our anniversary dinner at home and had quite the feast. We decided to break open one of our prized Italian wines that we had shipped over while on our trip, and it was absolutely worth the wait. We had fillets on the grill , twice baked potatoes and salad. Surprisingly enough, our wedding cake was still in tact and actually not too shabby. I'm not saying it was the best cake that I have had, but I definitely finished my entire slice. These twice baked potatoes are amazingly easy, although a bit time consuming, but the flavor makes it completely worth it!

Source: The Girl Who Ate Everything

You Will Need:

• 2 large baking potatoes
• 2 slices bacon
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/8 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
• 4 green onions, sliced, divided

Here We Go:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Bake potatoes in preheated oven for 1-1 1/2 hours depending on size of potato
• You can microwave the potatoes instead because it is much faster (About three minutes per potato, and make sure to poke holes in the potatoes with a fork before microwaving so that they don't explode)
• Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet and cook over medium high heat until evenly brown
• Drain, crumble and set aside
• When potatoes are done allow them to cool for 10 minutes
• Slice potatoes in half lengthwise and scoop the flesh into a large bowl leaving about 1/4 inch of flesh so the potato maintains it's shape; save skins.
• To the potato flesh add sour cream, butter, salt, pepper, 1/3 cup cheese, 1/2 the green onions, and milk 
•  Mix with a hand mixer or wooden spoon until well blended and creamy
• Spoon the mixture into the potato skins
• Top each with remaining cheese, green onions and bacon
• Bake for another 15 minutes at 350 degrees

Serves 4
Happy Feasting!