A Perfect Lunch (Recipes: Potato Chips & French Dip)

Potato Chips

1 Russet Potato
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Pepper

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  Drizzle olive oil on two sheet pans and lightly coat the surface using a paper towel.  Place oiled pans into the hot oven and preheat pans for 10 minutes.
2. Using a mandoline, slice the potato into 1/16" rounds.  Take pans out of the oven and lay potato slices in a single layer, making sure not to overlap.  Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper.
3. Bake for 10 minutes and then rotate pans.  Bake for 10 minutes more or until they are lightly golden.
4. Flip potato rounds and bake for 4-6 minutes more or until golden and crisp.
5. Drain on paper towels.

For a perfect lunch...In a saucepan heat leftover sliced Pot Roast in its leftover juices (au jus) until warm.  Meanwhile find a good crusty baguette.  Cut a 4-5 inch piece.  Slice it horizontally.  Slather it with mayonnaise.  Rest warm leftover roast onto baguette.  Place it on a plate alongside homemade potato chips.  Ladle au jus into a bowl.  Dip sandwich into au jus and take a bite.  Enjoy the day.

All you have to do is plan your day

Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry

Several months ago my grandmother leaked out a secret, "...my oven hasn't worked in over two years."  Now this may or may not seem like such a big statement but it baffled my husband and I.  The hubs quickly asked, "How do make all those holiday meals?"  Her answer was simple and to the point, "Well, all you have to do is plan your day...and I use a toaster oven."

I am a firm believer in planning your day (or week), especially when it comes to holiday entertaining.  My mom may say I'm downright psychotic about it.  One important skill culinary school taught me, besides cookery, was the art of planning, scheduling and timing your food so your guests can enjoy the best and freshest meal possible.

You've decided on the style of party (buffet, cocktail, four course, etc.).  You've sat down and made your guest list, heck, you even sent the invites out one month in advance.  The menu has been chosen-and it is deeeelish.  You read through your recipes and have a shopping strategy.  You've establish a timeline...wait...what?  What do you mean a timeline?

Please bring an appetizer...(Recipe: Pesto Cream Cheese Spread)

"Please bring an appetizer..."  were the words that left my husbands lips as he re-read a holiday party evite...an hour before we were supposed to leave!  I had yet put on my party face, fed the Baking Toddler, packed my bag with toddler gear, or gotten dressed for that matter.  Of course I wasn't going to walk through the door empty handed so I had to act FAST.  Like make something in 5 minutes fast!

When I worked at Central Market, we would whip up a pesto cream cheese spread and serve it on our freshly baked breads.  It became so popular that our store would sell out of Tex-A-France pesto every time we served it.  You can choose your favorite pesto, it works well with all flavors.  It has become a staple at my parties and always seems to be a crowd pleaser wherever I take it.  And whats even better, you can make it in about (or less than) 5 minutes.

Pesto Cream Cheese Spread
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1-16 oz. container Whipped Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1-7 oz. container Tex-A-France Sundried Tomato Pesto (you can use any-but this is my favorite)

1. Place cream cheese and pesto in a bowl of a kitchen aide mixer and mix until incorporated.
2. Pour spread into a serving bowl.  Serve with baguette slices.