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!

Cadbury Mini - Egg Rice Krispie Treats

Like millions of other people I, too, suffer from the addiction of Cadbury Mini Eggs. It doesn't get much better than that crispy, crunchy outside shell and the initially hard yet creamy milk chocolate center (although now they make a dark chocolate as well!). When Easter is over, it is so sad to think that it will be an entire year until the shelves are stocked with that pretty purple bag once again.

I have seen numerous recipes for Cadbury mini-egg cupcakes and cookies and I know that either of those would for sure be a crowd pleaser. I, however, opted for a Cadbury mini-egg rice krispy treat and let me tell you it is wonderful. So with Easter only one week from today, I think everyone should go ahead and make this treat before there are no more Cadbury eggs until next year!

You Will Need:

• 1 10oz bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs
• 3 Tbsp margarine or butter
• 1 10oz Package of mini marshmallows
• 4 cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies

Here We Go:

• Grease an 8x8 square baking pan
• Melt margarine or butter in large saucepan over low heat
• Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted and remove from heat
• Mix in rice krispies and stir until well coated
• Stir in 1 cup of crushed Cadbury mini eggs
• Spread mixture using a buttered spatula or waxed paper evenly into the greased baking pan
• While mixture is still warm top with remaining Cabdury mini eggs
• Cut into 2 inch squares once cooled

Makes 12 Treats
Happy Feasting!