Not quite from my cookbook…Better than Deli Grilled Meat Sandwiches
Typically, I will post recipes from my cookbook in this space, but this week I am posting a recently developed recipe, and I hope you will enjoy it.
There are over 300 recipes in my recently published cookbook, Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us (Click on the link in Note 1 to get your own copy). Even in these inflationary times, we can prepare delicious meals for our family and do so in a way that does not break the budget. And it’s all in the cookbook!
All of us want to eat more healthy food and save money in the process. If you enjoy a great deli sandwich as much as I do, then this recipe is for you!
David Giustozzi’s Better Than Deli Grilled Meat Sandwiches
I’ve always enjoyed a deli meat and cheese sandwich for lunch. Placed between the right bread and paired with chips and/or fresh-cut veggies, it’s the perfect meal that’s satisfying but not too heavy for your long afternoon of work or play. The solution I’ve developed allows you to prepare and freeze a lot of lunch meat for less than $3.00 a pound at today’s prices. Contrast that to the last time you bought deli meat and tell me if that’s not a bargain!
As much as I enjoy deli meat sandwiches, I’ve been looking to eat less of them due to the preservatives that go into deli meats and just how expensive deli meat and cheese are. Also, and I probably don’t need to tell you this, but they really don’t last that long in your refrigerator. That said, I’ve developed a solution for you that has been hiding in plain sight. So, if you, like me, enjoy a deli sandwich, either hot or cold, then here is your solution. Enjoy!
Here’s a bonus. Because we prepare and grill the meat in bulk and in advance and then freeze it, a sandwich is always close by with no worries of your deli meat going bad! The flavor of the grilled marinated meat is outstanding. Talk about a winner!
Ingredients
4 lbs. thin-cut pork chops or boneless skinless chicken breasts (Note 1)
Bread or roll of your choice (Note 2)
Cheese of your choice (Note 3)
Marinade
¼ cup Worcestershire Sauce
¼ cup Teriyaki sauce
¼ cup soy sauce
1/8 cup liquid smoke
Optional toppings for cold sandwiches
Mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, sliced avocado or your choice
Optional topping for warm sandwiches
Marinara, pasta sauce, pesto, or salmoriglio (Italian herb sauce)
Directions
Prepare meat as noted in Note 1. Pour marinades into an 11x15 Pyrex glass baking dish or equivalent. Toss meat to coat. Refrigerate for about 4 hours. Grill meat until just slightly browning on low heat. Do not overcook such that the meat becomes tough. Tenderizing and marinating should keep it tender and it will cook quickly.
Toast bread or roll as desired. Prepare with cheese any optional ingredients. Note: I usually don’t use lettuce, tomato, or avocado. I like to pop mine in the microwave for just a few seconds to melt the cheese and warm it a bit. An air fryer or toaster oven is good for this, too. If you previously froze the meat, you can place it on the sandwich still frozen if you are preparing it for lunch later in the day and want to eat it cold. What I typically do is warm frozen meat in a skillet in a little pure olive oil. Meat thawed in the microwave can make it tough.
If desired for a warm sandwich, top with a little marinara, pasta sauce, pesto, or salmoriglio and warm.
Assemble the sandwich, cut it in half for easier handling. Enjoy Freeze extras (Note 1).
Notes
I buy the pork chops in bulk at Costco, and they are really inexpensive. You can get the chicken there, too, or buy it at Walmart or your favorite grocery store. Prepare as follows: The chops may have small bones that need to be removed, so do that if needed. The chicken should be sliced horizontally in half (butterflied) and then, if they are large, cut in half so that you have four approximately the same-sized pieces for large breasts. Tenderize the chops and chicken with a sharp tined meat tenderizer such as a Westmark Steakmaster meat hammer (Available on Amazon). Tenderize twice on each side, rotating the meat 90 degrees so you get a well-pounded, almost falling-apart slice of meat. Place the meat in the marinade in the refrigerator for 4 hours or so, turning once. To freeze, place in a gallon zip lock bag and separate layers of meat with wax paper.
I like the artisan rolls from Costco. I buy a big package of them and freeze them as well so the are always fresh and ready. Any bread will do; I prefer a crusty roll.
I typically use American cheese on my sandwich as it melts perfectly. Use any cheese you like.
David Giustozzi’s Better Than Deli Grilled Meat Sandwich
What’s in it for me?
Good eats, that’s what!
Call to Action
Show someone how much you love them by preparing a delicious meal for them. Later, enjoy the time and money you save by relishing your leftovers, either for lunch at work or dinner at home. Take comfort in knowing you are eating healthy food you prepared. All because you made a good decision to follow the recipes and tips in the cookbook I developed just for you.
Besides getting a copy of the cookbook for yourself, it makes an excellent gift for those you love and care for, especially for those with a young family who are looking to save time and money in the kitchen. And learn a few things in the process! What a great idea!
Recommended Resources
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us by David Giustozzi
Up Next
Back to our regular post schedule.
Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ