Late night dinners are a whole different ball game around here. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time eating a heavy meal then going to bed and expecting to sleep. Of course sleep is rather fleeting around here this week anyway with the Maxer doing his seizure dance, but if I were going to catch some zzz's, I'd be hard pressed to do it after a heavy meal.
Last night's dinner sure wasn't rocket science but it filled the void, was quick to make and filling but not the stuff kind of filling and rather tasty too. This sandwich is simply shredded leftover turkey, moistened with chicken stock and slathered in barbecue sauce on a grilled bun. That's it, that's all - except for the red onion, red cabbage slaw of course.
No mayo in this one - just the sharp bite of red wine vinegar and a 2 hour room temperature marination and the crispy relish was ready as a true crowning glory on our sandwiches. Accompanied by some cold crisp crudites and sweet potato chips, we were sufficiently suffcified.
In case you're wondering what's happening with the kitchen renovations, the new granite was installed with a couple of hitches that need to be resolved which may mean the third time we go through this exercise. Believe me, it's not that I'm fussy ...just the guy that cut the granite must have been into the tequila because it's out almost a half inch on one side meaning there's a big enough gap between the granite and the wall that our backsplash tile isn't likely to cover.
The plumber has also been and gone. We've a new sink with actual running water in the kitchen, except the water is also running UNDER the sink so of course the plumber will have to come back to fix it and to pick up the faucet wrench he left behind. Oh, speaking of faucets, the faucet is too tall so we can't open the plantation shutters or the window for that matter so it's safe to say our string of bad luck is still rolling along. When I picked the darn thing I took that into account but apparently when they supply measurements, they only include the distance to the top of the faucet, not including the handle.
If you think that's all, you'd be wrong. Our precious wine fridge that has the dual duty of curing pancetta and storing wine was built into the island - in fact, the island was designed around the darn thing. The only problem is the fridge doesn't like its new location, even though the manual says it can be used as a built in or stand alone refrigerator. Needless to say, we now need to purchase a new wine cooler or find something else to do with the huge gap in the island.
Oh and update on Max, he still doing the shaky dance - 14 and counting since Sunday night and we're working hard to get them under control but failing miserably. He's had enough valium to sink a battleship and if he's not careful his Momma will be stealing some ... I might have thought about it before now if it weren't for the fact they're suppositories. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Do I hear anyone laughing?
I can honestly say if I didn't know any better, one would think there's a curse on us. On a positive note - I love our new kitchen especially the cabinets and really love the pot drawers we added to replace cupboard doors. They're absolutely amazing and make the kitchen much more efficient!
BBQ Turkey Sandwiches (adapted from Bon Appetit)
Slaw:
1 small red onion, cut into very thin slices
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
Combine ingredients in a small bowl and store at room temperature for a minimum 2 hours, then chill until serving.
Sandwiches:
4 panini rolls
Butter
1 pound cooked turkey
1 cup barbecue sauce ( I used honey flavored)
1/4 cup white wine or low sodium chicken stock
Tear or cut turkey into small shreds and place in a sauté pan along with barbecue sauce and wine. Heat slowly to a simmer, stirring often. Cut Panini rolls in half and butter well. Toast buttered side down on a hot grill. To serve arrange a generous amount of turkey mixture on grilled bun and top with slaw mixture. Makes 4 servings.
A year ago - Bacon and Blue Mac and Cheese
What a great late Wed. meal! I like the crunch factor you added with the cabbage and the red onion! Gotta have crunch!
I can't believe that they goofed on the granite again! That will end up being some damn expensive granite for the supplier!
Bummer about the wine fridge and the faucet - But just think - now you can put the one you have already totally dedicated to charcuterie and the new one in the island totally dedicated to the wine!
Poor little Maxer... what does Fin. think of this situation? I bet he is all worried...
Posted by: Lea | 04/26/2012 at 08:50 AM
Lea - you're right the slaw added just the right crunch! Yes, that's some expensive granite unless they can come up with a solution and it's so darned inconvenient too. As for the wine fridge, we've given it back to the people that gave it to us...Diana runs an exercise class so it'll come in handy for her water supply although we may be teaching some pancetta lessons.
Yes, Max isn't doing well at all and Finnigan's a real sweetheart to him. He checks on him and hardly leaves his side - doesn't even want to leave him to play. Yesterday he sat about a foot away from Max as he was having a seizure and looked so concerned. We sure lucked out with that little guy!
Posted by: June | 04/26/2012 at 09:17 AM
June, your issue sounds kinda like the same thing that happened with our granite. The solution - ingenious - was to cut back the drywall just enough to slide the granite back. After the tile backsplash was installed, you would never know there was an issue. Saved a lot of time of selecting and reinstalling new slab! Good luck!
Posted by: Jane Murray | 04/26/2012 at 10:29 AM
Wow Jane - that is a good solution. Thanks so much for the suggestion. Now we'll see if that'll work for us!
Posted by: June | 04/26/2012 at 10:35 AM
You have way too much on your plate girlfriend, and I am not talking about the food! Just wish everything could turn out as joyful as your food. The turkey sounds like an easy dish to get on the bun, but the slaw and onions have me smacking my lips.
Posted by: Lorraine | 04/28/2012 at 09:31 PM
Lorraine - life is returning to a more normal state or at least our new normal. Max is feeling better, Big Guy went shopping online and found a new wine cooler and Max is feeling much better and no longer having seizures. Life is good!
Posted by: June | 04/29/2012 at 06:21 AM