Recipe(tried): Busy As A Beaver..... Cuban Sandwich

Hi Everyone,

I have been as busy as a beaver lately...I am sure you all have been as tired and as busy as I have been the past few weeks. First, the Thanksgiving holidays had me super busy with all the details and then I had to recuperate from it all. I am sure you all had some sort of "gotta get it together soon" feeling after this holiday. I was dead-gone tired, dragging my feet... And now, another one is upon us.

My Mom and I have been enjoying some of the cool weather outdoors by detailing the gardens, you know, a little bit of weeding here and there, re-mulching, planting a few petunias, laughing it up, drinking some good old-fashioned iced tea and marveling at the changes outdoors.

Since we finished the last of the turkey and trimmings, we have been taking it easy in the kitchen. By that I mean, the kitchen has been closed for a while to big dinners. With Christmas soon upon us and parties here and there, better keep it light at home lest we put on too much weight! We have been enjoying Cuban sandwiches lately. Sometimes they are on the standard Cuban bread, but more often I make them with with Jewish Rye, Challah or Whole Wheat Bread. I like mine grilled while my DH likes his virgin. I squirt a little bit of honey and butter on the skillet to grill it. Delicious!!

Here is my recipe for Cuban Sandwich:

1 Loaf of Cuban bread
mayo
yellow mustard
dill pickle slices
sweet ham slices ( I use Smithfield Canadian Maple)
salami slices
pork slices
swiss cheese slices

On one side of the bread, slather on a bit of mustard and on the other side, slather on the mustard, layer the pickle slices. Then top with thinly cut slices of ham, pork, salami and swiss cheese. Grill or leave as is. Yum!!!

I am also in the midst of planning the Christmas Dinner here at home, it will be a quiet Christmas with just Mom as many of our friends are headed out to visit their parents out of state. Also, I have been gathering the materials and recipes for the Christmas goodies I am giving to friends and neighbors this year. This year I am giving them a brown paper bag simply decorated with a small little wire wreath made of cranberies. Very sweet and rustic looking.... Inside I will be putting the following:

Cabana Banana Bread
Palm Beach Brownies
Cranberry Fudge
Key Lime Fudge
Sugared Cranberry Trail Mix

Last year I made cookie platters and I really don't enjoy the amount of work that goes into that! The above are quick to make and pack. I will post recipes and directions on making the Christmas Goodie Bag later on.

So, tonight for dinner we are having the following:

Campbell's Tomato Soup
Saltines to crumble into the soup
Grilled Cheese Sandwich

So easy yet so satisfying!!!

Happy Cooking! Gina