A Complete Dinner: Wafflewich and "Anti"pasto Salad

Rachel Ray is my hero, in many ways: for her cooking techniques, her quirky attitude, and her amazing recipes. I took one of her ideas and made it into my own. The first recipe is for a monte cristo wafflewich and the second is for an "antipasto" pasta salad. I made these two together, and they were quite yum-o!



Monte Cristo Wafflewich
Serving Size 2 sandwiches

4 Frozen Waffles lightly toasted (or homemeade)
2 slices each of turkey and ham
4 slices swiss cheese
4 slices of bacon cooked (turkey bacon would work, too)
2 tbl butter

Mustard Sauce (blend all ingredients together- until smooth)

4-6 tbl Dijon mustard (or brown spicy mustard- if you like things spicy)
2 tbl cranberry, raspberry or grape jelly
dash of garlic powder

1. Heat butter in skillet
2. Take one waffle slice and begin layering ingredients as follows: mustard sauce, slice of cheese, 1 slice of ham or turkey, 2 pieces of bacon, 1 slice of ham or turkey, cheese, more mustard sauce, and top with another waffle slice.
3. Fry sandwich in skillet, until both sides of waffle are browned (butter helps create a yummy crust) and cheese is melted.
4. Makes 2 sandwiches and ENJOY!



"Antipasto" Pasta Salad

Salad

1 box Italian flavored pasta salad (Betty Crocker or Kraft brand) - I used Kraft
1/2 can of kidney beans
4 oz. mozzarella cheese (slices or bar)
20-25 slices of pepperoni (cut in-half)
6 slices of deli salami (cut into quarters)

Dressing

3 tbl extra virgin olive oil
4 tbl red wine vinegar
2 tbl dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard
package of italian seasoning that comes with pasta mix
salt and pepper to taste

1. Boil pasta according to boxes instructions (make sure to shock the pasta, when done, in cold water)
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients, until well blended. If dressing is too strong, add more oil or a bit of water.
3. Toss pasta, remaining ingredients, and dressing in bowl. Refrigerate until chilled.
4. Serve on a bed of lettuce and top with parmesan cheese (comes with pasta mix)
5. ENJOY! :)


Hopefully these recipes turn out as well, for you, as they did for me. They were yum-o!