From Mama's Table to Mine (16 page)
Read From Mama's Table to Mine Online
Authors: Bobby Deen
When I’ve got leftover chicken in the fridge, I turn to my
Chicken Salad with a Twist
. I absolutely refuse to throw away leftovers. I just can’t do it. I’ve always got some in the fridge because I cook up a storm on weekends so that I’m stocked for the workweek.
For days when I need a little something extra, something a little more comfort food feeling, there’s nothing like my hot
Cajun Sliders
to fill me up and warm my insides. I don’t make them just for lunch. They’re a great, fast dinner option for those busy nights I just don’t have time to pull together a proper sit-down meal.
Come to think of it, I’d say sandwiches are just about the most American of meals, equally loved by Southerners and New Yorkers. Now that’s saying something.
Fiery Queso Fundido
and a bucket of beers, and your friends won’t want to watch the game any other way.
Makes 8 sandwiches
In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and mustard. Spread one side of each slice of toast with the mixture.
Divide the turkey, pickles, ham, lettuce, roast beef, tomatoes, cheese, and peppers in the order listed among 8 slices of bread. Top with the remaining slices of bread and secure with a toothpick.
After: 9g fat, 326 calories
25g protein | 43g carbohydrate | 14g fiber | 1700mg sodium
You’ll find that most deli meat brands offer a low-sodium version of their meat. Good to know if you’re a meat lover like me but you’re also watching your salt intake.
Serves 1/ Makes 1 cup dressing
To make the Thousand Island dressing: In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt, ketchup, mayonnaise, and pickle relish until combined.
To assemble the Reuben: Stack the pastrami onto the crispbread, followed by the sauerkraut and cheese. Place the stack on a microwave-safe plate and heat in the microwave until the cheese is melted, about 20 seconds. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of the dressing and enjoy. (Save the remaining dressing for another use; see below.)
After: 4.5g fat, 168 calories
20g protein | 12g carbohydrate | 2g fiber | 833mg sodium
Thousand Island dressing is one of my favorites. I love it mixed through a seafood pasta salad, slathered on a nice juicy burger, or drizzled over a simple green salad. It tastes good on just about anything, and that’s why I always make more than I need for just one recipe.
Serves 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and mustard until smooth. Spread the mixture on one side of each wrap. Arrange the turkey over the wraps and scatter the cheese and spinach on top. Sprinkle the avocados and chopped tomatoes over the cheese.
Starting at one end, roll the wraps up over the filling, tucking in the sides as you go. Slice each wrap crosswise into four pinwheels and secure each with a toothpick, if you like.
After: 14g fat, 281 calories
17g protein | 23g carbohydrate | 6g fiber | 1,005mg sodium
Serves 4
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-low heat until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. Set the bacon on a paper towel–lined plate to drain.
Whisk together the mayonnaise and honey mustard. Spread one side of each slice of toast with this mixture. Sandwich the bacon, tomatoes, avocados, and mixed greens between bread slices.
After: 17g fat, 334 calories
15g protein | 33g carbohydrate | 7g fiber | 875mg sodium
The microwave is a really quick, no-mess way to cook turkey bacon. You can get a nice crisp on it and it won’t end up rubbery. What you do is place the bacon on a plate, cover it with a paper towel, and cook each side for 1 to 2 minutes. Then just let it cool a minute. As it cools, it will come to an ideal crunchiness.
Serves 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, basil, and pepper. Spread one side of each slice of bread with the mayonnaise mixture. Top 4 slices of bread with tomatoes and season lightly with pepper.
Thinly slice one-half of the onion into rounds, reserving the other half for another use. Top the tomatoes with the onion rings. Cover with the remaining bread slices and serve.
After: 7g fat, 151 calories
3g protein | 20g carbohydrate | 3g fiber | 323mg sodium
Nutritional count using whole-wheat bread
Serves 4
To make the tartar sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, pickles, onions, and pepper.
To make the po’boys: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and spray lightly with cooking spray. Season the catfish with the salt, cayenne, and garlic powder. Place the fish in the skillet and cook, turning once halfway through, until the fish is just flaky, about 4 minutes per side.
Spread the tartar sauce on the inside of each portion of bread. Fill with the fish, tomato slices, and lettuce.
After: 9g fat, 350 calories
22g protein | 45g carbohydrate | 2g fiber | 833mg sodium
I always use a cast-iron skillet when I cook fish. It’s especially important when I’m cooking blackened fish and I’m using only a small amount of oil. You see, the trick with blackened fish is to get your pan real hot so that the fish doesn’t stick and it cooks quickly, and for that, no other pan trumps the cast-iron skillet.
