Hot Sauerkraut Clubs

What You Need:

4 (1 in.) thick slices of French bread
1 tbsp butter
4 slices of bologna
4 slices of salami
1 (16 oz.) can of sauerkraut
1 C of Mozzarella cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Spread the butter over one side of each slice of bread and place them on a microwave safe plate.
Slice the bologna and salami in half.
Lay a half slice of bologna then a half slice of salami onto the bread.
Add another slice of bologna and salami.
Place a large spoonful of sauerkraut onto the meat.
Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the sauerkraut.
Microwave the clubs on high for 3 minutes.
Rotate the plate 1/2 turn and microwave on high an additional 4 minutes or until hot,

Makes 4 servings

Using French bread, sauerkraut and salami makes this club a favorite. Cooking it in the microwave makes it a lunchtime snap. The sauerkraut is optional and you can substitute any type of shredded cheese you like.

Swiss Tuna Melt Sandwiches

tunamelt

What You Need:

1 1/2 C coleslaw mix, shredded
1 (9.25 oz.) can of white tuna in water, drained and broken up
2 Tbsp of salad dressing
2 Tbsp creamy cucumber dressing
2 hoagie buns, split and toasted
2 oz. Swiss cheese, sliced thin

How to Make It:

Preset the oven to broil.
Stir together the coleslaw ad tuna until well combined.
Whisk together the salad dressings and pour over the tuna mixture stirring to blend.
Spoon the mixture over the open side of each bun.
Broil 5 inches from the heat for 2 minutes.
Place slice of cheese over each sandwich and return to the broiler.
Broil 30 seconds or until the cheese has melted.

Makes 4 servings

Tuna is not only good for us but also a cheap addition to our meals. If you don’t have cucumber dressing on hand ranch dressing works just as well. Cheddar cheese can also be substituted for the Swiss and mayonnaise can be used in place of the salad dressing. Using what’s on hand makes this a great budget friendly sandwich.

Preparation Time: approximately 20 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 2 minutes 30 seconds
Total Time: approximately 22 minutes 30 seconds

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 406; Fat 19g; Saturated Fat 6g; Carbohydrates 38g; Fiber 2g; Protein 20g; Cholesterol 39 mg; Sodium 704 mg

Pecan Coated Pork Hoagies

porkhoagie

What You Need:

4 boneless pork chops
1/4 C flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp Dijon style mustard
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 C dry bread crumbs
1/2 C of pecans, ground
2 Tbsp canola oil
4 hoagie buns

How to Make It:

Pound the chops between 2 pieces of plastic wrap until they are a 1/4 inch thick.
Place the flour into a shallow bowl.
In a separate shallow bowl, mix together the egg, mustard and cayenne pepper.
In a third shallow bowl combine the breadcrumbs and pecans.
Cover the meat with the flour then dip into the egg mixture.
Place the meat into the bread crumbs and roll to cover completely.
Place the oil into a skillet and heat over medium high heat.
Lay the coated pork into the skillet and cook for 4 minutes.
If the meat seems to be browning to quickly adjust the heat to medium.
Turn over and continue cooking 4 minutes longer or until the pork is cooked through.

Makes 4 servings

Lunches don’t have to be expensive to be satisfying. This recipe is proof of that. It is not only great tasting but filling and very budget friendly. Top your hoagies with cheese, tomatoes and a leaf of lettuce.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes
Total Time: approximately 23 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 634; Fat 31g; Saturated Fat 6g; Carbohydrates 51g; Fiber 4g; Protein 38g; Cholesterol 122 mg; Sodium 987 mg

Open Faced Italian Burgers

italianburgers

What You Need:

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 hamburger buns
1 C mushroom pasta sauce
1 C mozzarella cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Set the oven to broil and allow it to preheat.
Shape the beef into 4 patties and place them on the broiler pan.
Broil 4 inches from the heat for 10 minutes or until cooked to you liking, turning once.
Place the burgers on a plate and cover to keep warm.
Clean the broiler pan and place the buns, open side up on the pan.
Broil the buns for 2 minutes or until just lightly toasted.
Remove and keep warm.
Heat the pasta sauce over medium heat for 5 minutes or until bubbly.
Place the each burger on a bun and spread with the heated sauce.
Sprinkle the tops with the mozzarella cheese.
Broil the burgers for 1 minute or until the cheese has started to melt.

Makes 4 servings

Who doesn’t love a good burger? Sometimes it’s a nice change to do something a little different and the kids will love them. This is an inexpensive way to serve an old favorite with a little flash especially if you have leftovers from the big cookout. For a little more Italian flavor sprinkle a little basil over the pizza sauce before adding the cheese.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 18 minutes
Total Time: approximately 33 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 504; Fat 30g; Saturated fat 13g; Carbohydrates 27g; Fiber 2g; Protein 30g; Cholesterol 98 mg; Sodium 815 mg

Cheesy Pear Sandwich

pears

pearsWhat You Need:

4 English muffins spit
2 T of Dijon mustard
4 Canadian bacon slices
1 pear, peeled and sliced thin
4 slices of cheddar cheese

How to Make It:

Spread the mustard over the cut side of each muffin.
Lay a bacon slice onto 1 side of each muffin.
Place a couple of pear slices and a slice of cheese over the bacon.
Top with the other half of the muffin.
Heat a pan over medium heat.
Add the sandwich and toast for 5 minutes.
Flip and continue cooking for 5 additional minutes or until nicely browned and the cheese has started to melt.

Makes 4 sandwiches

This is a great sandwich to serve to children. Try apple rings instead of pears. The kids will love them either way. Add celery and carrot sticks and a side of tater tots for the perfect kid friendly meal.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 10 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 303; Fat 11g; Saturated Fat 6f; Carbohydrates 34g; Fiber 3g;
Protein 20g; Cholesterol 40 mg; Sodium 851 mg

Chicken Mushroom Spinach Quesidillas

What You Need:

4 (10 in) flour tortillas
2 C chicken, cooked and chopped
1 (6 oz.) jar mushrooms, drained and sliced
2 C of fresh spinach, washed, squeezed dried and chopped
2 C Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Lay the tortillas flat.
Spread one half of each tortilla with the chicken.
Layer the mushrooms over the chicken.
Top with the spinach.
Add the cheese evenly over the top.
Place a skillet or griddle over medium heat.
Fold the tortilla’s over to encase the filling.
Place the quesadillas into the warm skillet and toast for 5 minutes.
Turn and toast 5 minutes longer or until the cheese has melted.

Makes 4 servings

Quesadillas are fast becoming a favorite at our dinner tables. These are no exception. Chop the spinach small enough and the kids won’t even know it’s there. Serve these with a Spanish rice and a bowl of fresh fruit.

Preparation Time: approximately 10 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 10 minutes
Total Time: approximately 20 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 447; Fat 25g; Saturated Fat 13g; Carbohydrates 18g; Fiber 2g;
Protein 37g; Cholesterol 113 mg; Sodium 676 mg

Dressed up Ham and Swiss on Rye

ryebread

ryebreadWhat You Need:

1/2 C Thousand Island dressing
1 t mustard
1 C coleslaw mix, shredded
2 T of margarine
3 slices rye bread
4 oz. cooked ham, sliced thin
4 oz. Swiss cheese, sliced thin

How to Make It:

Place the salad dressing into a mixing bowl.
Whisk in the mustard until blended in well.
In a large mixing bowl stir together the coleslaw and dressing mixture.
Spread one side of each slice of bread with the margarine.
Place the slices of bread butter side down into the skillet.
Lay ham slices over the bread in the skillet.
Top with a spoonful of the coleslaw mixture.
Add a slice of cheese to each sandwich.
Place the remaining bread slices over the top of each sandwich, butter side up.
Cook the sandwiches 3 minutes over medium low heat.
Turn the sandwich over and cook 3 minutes longer or until nicely browned.

Makes 4 servings

In a hurry but want a good meal? Sandwiches can be just what you need. Add French fries or tater tots along with a bowl of fresh fruit. Whole wheat or marble rye bread works just as well as rye bread. You may also substitute Colby Jack or mozzarella cheese for the Swiss.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 6 minutes
Total Time: approximately 21 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 409; Fat 21g; Saturated Fat 9g; Carbohydrates 37g; Fiber 5g; Protein 18g; Cholesterol 54 mg; Sodium 1,023 mg

Italian Steak and Cheese Rolls

stkchsesand

stkchsesandWhat You Need:

1/4 C Italian salad dressing, divided
2 green bell peppers cut into thin strips
1 onion, sliced
12 oz. cooked roast beef, sliced thin
6 French rolls, split and toasted
1/2 C mozzarella cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

Pour 2 T of the salad dressing into a skillet.
Stir in the peppers and onions.
Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally or until tender.
Remove the vegetables and keep warm.
Pour 2 more T of dressing into the skillet.
Lay the roast beef into the skillet.
Cook 3 minutes or until heated through, turning occasionally.
Fill each French roll with the meat.
Spread a spoonful of the vegetables over the meat.
Top each sandwich with the remaining dressing.
Sprinkle each sandwich with cheese, cover with the top of the roll and serve.

Makes 6 servings

The hungry men in your house will love these sandwiches. Even the kids will enjoy them. Brown sliced mushrooms with the peppers and onions to add something a little different. Top each sandwich with your favorite toppings like tomatoes and lettuce.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 8 minutes
Total Time: approximately 23 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 311; Fat 13g; Saturated Fat 3g; Carbohydrates 26g; Fiber 2g; Protein 23g; Cholesterol 45 mg; Sodium 732 mg