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Calling All Cooks: Super sandwiches

By LISA ANDRUS-WELCH

Sunday the Rams and the Patriots will vie for a Super Bowl win, and certainly, as tradition dictates, the biggest football event of the year is a great reason to party, so bring on the food and drink.

Besides the usual crunchy snacks like loaded nachos or buffalo chicken dip and chips, serving guests hearty sandwiches is sure to win hosts the coveted MDP (most delicious party) award.

When thinking of what to serve, it’s important to choose recipes that won’t cost the cook an interference penalty (missing the game, that is.) You won’t have to spend a minute away from the television with these yummy make-ahead options.

Prepare Barbecue Pulled Pork in the morning and let it cook all day, to succulent tenderness, in the slow-cooker.

Thinking of burgers? Try Cheeseburger Meatloaf instead, a novel creation of seasoned ground meat rolled up with cheese, grilled mushrooms and onions. Make it in the morning, refrigerate, then pop in the oven about an hour before half-time. Serve slices on toasted rolls and wait for the cheers.

And for those that root for the underdog, try the little slider sandwich with big taste made with stacked deli turkey breast and provolone cheese. Drenched in a tasty butter sauce, these get wrapped and refrigerated overnight. Before serving, pop sandwiches in the oven and bake for 20 minutes till golden brown…score!

Slow-Cooked Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Pork:

5 pounds boneless pork butt, cut into 8 to 10 pieces

4 tsps. sea salt, divided

4 tsps. freshly ground black pepper, divided

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 T. dried minced onions

Barbecue Sauce:

1 large shallot, finely minced

2 T. salted butter

1 cup tomato sauce

3/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup cola

2 T. tomato paste

1 1/2 tsps. yellow mustard

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. molasses

1/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or more to taste

1 tsp. liquid smoke or a smoky seasoning blend

Directions: Place pork pieces in large slow-cooker and season all over with 2 teaspoons each of the salt and pepper, garlic powder and dried onions. Set aside.

In a skillet, over medium heat, melt the 2 tablespoons butter. Add shallots and saute till they begin to caramelize, about 4 minutes. Lower the heat to a simmer, and stir in the sauce ingredients including the remaining 2 teaspoons salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.

Pour sauce all over the pork and cook on low 7 hours. Remove pork. Transfer sauce to a saucepan and return pork to the slow-cooker. Cook sauce over medium-high till reduced to half, about 18 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

Meanwhile, using 2 forks, gently pull the pork apart till you have a pot full of pulled pork. Stir sauce back into the pork and keep warm. To serve, pile pork onto crusty Kaiser rolls. Top with red onion slices and pickled jalapeno rings, if desired. Serves 18.

Cheeseburger Meatloaf Sandwiches

2 pounds ground beef

3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs

1/2 cup minced onion

2 eggs, beaten

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 tsps. salt

1 1/2 tsps. ground black pepper

3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Grilled onions, optional

Sauted mushrooms, optional

Ketchup, for topping

Directions: In large bowl combine the beef, bread crumbs, onion, eggs, salt and pepper and mix well. Pat out beef mixture into a 14×18-inch rectangle on a piece of waxed paper. Spread cheese and grilled onions and mushrooms, if desired, over the meat, leaving a 3/4-inch border around the edges. Roll up jelly roll fashion, lifting waxed paper to roll, to enclose the filling and form a pinwheel loaf. Press beef in on both ends to enclose the cheese. Place in a 10×15-inch baking dish and bake in 350-degree oven for 1 hour. Spread top of beef roll with ketchup and bake 10 minutes longer.

Remove from oven and let stand about 10 minutes. Cut into 8 slices and serve warm on toasted Kaiser rolls, or thick slices of hearty bread; spread with a little mayonnaise, if desired. Serves 8.

Baked Turkey and Cheese Sandwiches

12 small Hawaiian dinner rolls

1-pound deli-sliced smoked turkey

12 thin slices provolone cheese

1 stick butter

1 to 2 T. brown sugar, optional

1 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. dried mustard

1 T. poppy or sesame seeds

Directions: Prepare sandwiches by dividing turkey and cheese evenly among rolls

Place sandwiches on a rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

In small saucepan, combine remaining ingredients. Bring to boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and pour mixture over sandwiches. Cover with foil and refrigerate sandwiches overnight or for about 6 hours.

Uncover sandwiches and bake in preheated 350-degree oven 20 minutes, or till light golden brown and cheese is melted. Makes 12 small sandwiches.

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