Wife Approved Recipes - Picnic Sandwiches

 It's a 2fer blog post today: sandwich recipes plus a concert video of troubadour Aimee Mann.

My Wife Approved Recipes have been road tested, so you know they will satisfy. And these tasty sandwich treats are perfect for your summer picnics.

My wife and her mother sometimes take tea at a local parlor, and I heard her talk about what they had to eat. Well, the sandwiches served sounded good and actually cheap to make, especially the cucumber ones.

Check it all out below - how to dine in style with an outdoor concert picnic.

 

Nothing goes better with a free concert by a folk-rocker in the park than delicious picnic sandwiches by The 99 Cent Chef.  My wife didn't have to drag me to Marina del Rey's picturesque Burton W. Chace Park to see songstress Aimee Mann -- especially when all we had to pay for was parking and a few picnic ingredients.

We hit the freeway for a show that spanned a beautiful summer evening from sunset to full moon. At an outdoor stage in the marina's waterside park, we found a hilly spot right there, and laid out my sandwiches on a blanket, then opened our first bottle of wine. The crowd was a local mix of families and hipsters. Aimee started right on time (7pm). She played a great show, with a sliding, tuneful, lead vocal, while strumming amplified acoustic guitar, accompanied by her band. The show inspired me to film and edit a recipe video underscored by her live performance.

For our picnic, I easily assembled the sandwiches from ingredients from my local 99c only Store and Latin market. For my first sandwich recipe I made a Salami and Dijon on Sourdough. The 99c Store has recently been stocking higher-end 3.5 oz. packages of Hormel Genoa and Hot Sopressata Salami. I especially like the Sopressata -- it's lean ground with white flecks of marbling. I also picked up a great Country Dijon by Morehouse. This condiment is rough ground whole mustard seeds -- popping with tangy flavor. I served it all on sourdough bread, but you could use any bread or roll you have on hand.

I would guess that Aimee Mann is more vegan than carnivore. So for my next sammy it's a Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich. I found dark Russian bread, which has a nutty flavor, but you could also use pumpernickel for a traditional tasty tea-time finger food. I like to peel off about half the cucumber skin so the bitterness is reduced. This is a creamy and crunchy refreshing bite between two slices of bread. To go totally vegan, you could substitute hummus for cream cheese (my basic hummus recipe is here.)

And finally, my most controversial picnic basket addition: a French Ham Sandwich. You can be sure Mr. Ludobite (the 5 star Beard awarded French celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre) would flip his beret and scream profanities if he saw what I use for ingredients in his homeland's namesake sandwich (click here to see Chef Ludo throwing a hissy fit.)

 A typical French Sandwich is simply made with butter, ham, cheese, and crusty French bread.  I would normally make it that way too, but since this is a blog for cheapskates, I used imitation butter and slices of Farmer John's "Ham Roll !" Now, was it as good as a Parisian sidewalk cafe classic? Of course not, but no one in our party complained. You can make it with expensive ingredients to impress your  foodie friends, if you have the dough.

So for your next summer outdoor concert, feel free to make any, or all, of my Picnic Sandwiches. And if you like this musical recipe video, be sure to also check out my video of conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. His "Rhapsody in Blue" becomes the soundtrack while his namesake hot dog is assembled at Pink's, L.A.'s most popular fast food joint. To view it, just click here.

Picnic Sandwiches with Aimee Mann - Video
 
Play it here. The video runs about 7 minutes.

To view or embed from YouTube, click here.
Aimee Mann's website: http://www.aimeemann.com/

Directions for Salami and Dijon on Sourdough Sandwich
On 2 slices of bread, spread Dijon mustard. Layer on slices of your favorite salami. I used thin-sliced, so about 6-8 slices per sandwich. Slice into quarters and fasten with a toothpick.

Directions for Cucumber and Cream Cheese on Russian Bread (or Pumpernickel)
Smear cream cheese thickly on Russian or pumpernickel bread. I like to peel off half the skin from my cucumbers. I also slice them pretty thin (see photos.) I used about 4-6 cumber slices per sandwich. Layer on the slices. Cut sandwich into four rectangles and hold together with toothpicks.

Directions for a French Sandwich
I spread a thick layer of margarine on a couple of slices of French Bread -- you can substitute with real butter (room temperature.) I often pick up real ham slices at my local dollar store, but this time I used 2 slices of a Ham Roll by Farmer John (surprisingly, quite good.) Again, slice sandwiches into quarters and fasten with toothpicks. I left out cheese, but a good addition would be a slice of Swiss cheese.

If you are making your sandwiches ahead of time, make sure to store in the refrigerator. They will come to room temperature by the time you reach your destination.

99 thanks to Aimee Mann and her groovy band -- they made our  picnic a summer highlight.

Picnic Sandwiches with Aimee Mann - VIDEO

 

Nothing goes better with a free concert by a folk-rocker in the park than delicious picnic sandwiches by The 99 Cent Chef.  My wife didn't have to drag me to Marina del Rey's picturesque Burton W. Chace Park to see songstress Aimee Mann -- especially when all we had to pay for was parking and a few picnic ingredients.

So last Saturday, we hit the freeway for a show that spanned a beautiful summer evening from sunset to full moon. At an outdoor stage in the marina's waterside park, we found a hilly spot right there, and laid out my sandwiches on a blanket, then opened our first bottle of wine. The crowd was a local mix of families and hipsters. Aimee started right on time (7pm). She played a great show, with a sliding, tuneful, lead vocal, while strumming amplified acoustic guitar, accompanied by her band. The show inspired me to film and edit a recipe video underscored by her live performance.

For our picnic, I easily assembled the sandwiches from ingredients from my local 99c only Store and Latin market. For my first sandwich recipe I made a Salami and Dijon on Sourdough. The 99c Store has recently been stocking higher-end 3.5 oz. packages of Hormel Genoa and Hot Sopressata Salami. I especially like the Sopressata -- it's lean ground with white flecks of marbling. I also picked up a great Country Dijon by Morehouse. This condiment is rough ground whole mustard seeds -- popping with tangy flavor. I served it all on sourdough bread, but you could use any bread or roll you have on hand.

I would guess that Aimee Mann is more vegan than carnivore. So for my next sammy it's a Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich. I found dark Russian bread, which has a nutty flavor, but you could also use pumpernickel for a traditional tasty tea-time finger food. I like to peel off about half the cucumber skin so the bitterness is reduced. This is a creamy and crunchy refreshing bite between two slices of bread. To go totally vegan, you could substitute hummus for cream cheese (my basic hummus recipe is here.)

And finally, my most controversial picnic basket addition: a French Ham Sandwich. You can be sure Mr. Ludobite (the 5 star Beard awarded French celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre) would flip his beret and scream profanities if he saw what I use for ingredients in his homeland's namesake sandwich (click here to see Chef Ludo throwing a hissy fit.)

 A typical French Sandwich is simply made with butter, ham, cheese, and crusty French bread.  I would normally make it that way too, but since this is a blog for cheapskates, I used imitation butter and slices of Farmer John's "Ham Roll !" Now, was it as good as a Parisian sidewalk cafe classic? Of course not, but no one in our party complained. You can make it with expensive ingredients to impress your  foodie friends, if you have the dough.

So for your next summer outdoor concert, feel free to make any, or all, of my Picnic Sandwiches. And if you like this musical recipe video, be sure to also check out my video of conductor Gustavo Dudamel leading the L.A. Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. His "Rhapsody in Blue" becomes the soundtrack while his namesake hot dog is assembled at Pink's, L.A.'s most popular fast food joint. To view it, just click here.

Picnic Sandwiches with Aimee Mann - Video

Play it here. The video runs about 7 minutes.

To view or embedd from YouTube, click here.
Aimee Mann's website: http://www.aimeemann.com/
And she plays the Hollywood Bowl tonight in a Joni Mitchell tribute, info here.

Directions for Salami and Dijon on Sourdough Sandwich
On 2 slices of bread, spread Dijon mustard. Layer on slices of your favorite salami. I used thin-sliced, so about 6-8 slices per sandwich. Slice into quarters and fasten with a toothpick.

Directions for Cucumber and Cream Cheese on Russian Bread (or Pumpernickel)
Smear cream cheese thickly on Russian or pumpernickel bread. I like to peel off half the skin from my cucumbers. I also slice them pretty thin (see photos.) I used about 4-6 cumber slices per sandwich. Layer on the slices. Cut sandwich into four rectangles and hold together with toothpicks.

Directions for a French Sandwich
I spread a thick layer of margarine on a couple of slices of French Bread -- you can substitute with real butter (room temperature.) I often pick up real ham slices at my local dollar store, but this time I used 2 slices of a Ham Roll by Farmer John (surprisingly, quite good.) Again, slice sandwiches into quarters and fasten with toothpicks. I left out cheese, but a good addition would be a slice of Swiss cheese.

If you are making your sandwiches ahead of time, make sure to store in the refrigerator. They will come to room temperature by the time you reach your destination.

99 thanks to Aimee Mann and her groovy band -- they made our  picnic a summer highlight.

Zankou Chicken & The Hollywood Bowl - 2 Videos

Sorry ladies, but The 99 Cent Chef is one cheap date -- just ask his wife! A favorite thrifty accompaniment to a beautiful sunset over the Hollywood Bowl is tender and succulent roasted bird from local legendary Lebanese poultry purveyor, Zankou Chicken. It's just shy of $10 dollars for a whole chicken -- that includes two pitas and two addictive and decadent garlic dips. I don't know the exact ingredients, but their garlic spread is so "crack" good you'll want to order a couple of extras (recipe here).

Make sure to ask to have the chicken cut for easier eating. Usually I get a couple extra pitas for 25 cents each. Bring some sliced tomato, onion and avocado and you can assemble your own delicious roast chicken pitas (a large plastic container for the chicken keeps things less messy when dining on Hollywood Bowl benches).

While satellite restaurants (really, just mini-mall formica settings) are popping up all over town, The Chef makes it a point to hit the Hollywood location, on Sunset and Normandie, a couple of times each summer during jaunts to Hollywood's musical mecca.

This bargain night out is the best summer deal in town. And you can bring your own picnic (some lease event nights exempted); just notice all the various spreads on the walk to your cheap seats -- everything from crusty baguette sandwiches from Patina and salads from Whole Foods to bottles of Trader Joe's "Two Buck Chuck" Chardonnay. Were else can you wine and dine enveloped in beautiful sunsets, listening to a full orchestra playing to a star-studded Broadway-quality performance of "Guys and Dolls" for 10 bucks! What a relief not having to budget in $9 watery draft beer or $8 soggy-bun hot dogs.

As for the "V,W, Z" cheap seats, yeah, it's a long way off, and your ears may "pop" on the way up. There are large projection screens, but I go to listen to the music, not to watch the show! The Hollywood Bowl acoustics are excellent anywhere you plant yourself.

Now parking is not cheap, upwards of $15-$30 bucks for "stacked parking", but you can take a "park & ride" bus or park at Hollywood/Highland and take a shuttle for a few bucks.

The Hollywood Bowl's website gives you excellent parking tips. The Chef used to live in off Franklin Ave. in Hollywood, so he knows a few side streets that are not restricted for free parking -- although it can be a long trek when loaded down with ice-packed chilled bottles of wine and other provisions.

During these mild warm nights, August is the best month for a Hollywood Bowl picnic. So come along for a date with The 99 Cent Chef. His new video shepherds you down L.A. thoroughfares into Hollywood's Zankou Chicken Restaurant, then speeds through Hollywood backstreets for a quick scenic walk into The Hollywood Bowl. You will feel like you are there, and you should be! You have a couple of months left to enjoy this festive L.A. summer destination that comes highly recommended by The 99 Cent Chef.

Zankou Chicken & The Hollywood Bowl - Video

Play it here. The video runs 4 minutes, 21 seconds.

It's all about the music at The Hollywood Bowl as my video featurette below will attest. It would be 2 hours long if I put in a 15 second clip of every concert I've enjoyed there. Everyone from New Waver's ABC (favorite lyric: "I've seen the future, I can't afford it") to Rufus Wainwright drag-channeling Judy Garland singing "Come on Get Happy" (nice gams Rufus)! The programmers for The Bowl come up with great theme nights all summer long, like the recent movie showing of Koyaanisqatsi with a soundtrack performed live by the Philip Glass Ensemble with the L.A. Philharmonic. So check out The Chef's own video musical medley featuring half a dozen 15-second favorites!

Hollywood Bowl Medley - Video
Play it here. The video runs 4 minutes, 19 seconds. 

Do you have some favorite Hollywood Bowl picnic cuisine ideas to share, or a favorite show you attended? Do leave a comment.

Zankou Chicken & The Hollywood Bowl video: Click here to embed or view video on youtube. 
Hollywood Bowl Medley video: Click here to embed or view video on youtube.

Mackerel Potato Salad & A Polo Match - Video

Summer is here and the time is right for potato salad and a picnic. May The 99 Cent Chef recommend a pleasant outing to Will Rogers' Polo Club? Take winding, tree-lined Sunset Boulevard into Pacific Palisades for an equestrian game gazing picnic. And what goes more splendidly with croquet played on horseback than The Chef's Mackerel Potato Salad?

On the first day of summer The Chef took a group including his wife, her parents, and, visiting from Austin, his sister Denise and her husband Dale, to a 9:30 a.m. polo match at Will Rogers State Historical Park. Parking is eight dollars, but well worth it for 4 hours of equestrian entertainment -- the event itself is open to the public and ticket-free. You decamp with your picnic basket and lawn chairs, and yes, beer or wine is allowed, to find a spot along the emerald green field - flanked by a small hill on one side and an eucalyptus tree shaded area next to the announcer's booth on the other side.

If you have not watched a polo match before, think of mallet-wielding soccer players on horseback, dressed ever so elegantly in field boots, thundering down the field swatting at a softball-sized polo ball. You can go to willrogerspolo.org and click here for instructions on the art of the polo match. The main website gives you directions to Will Rogers State Park and Saturday and Sunday polo game times, which run until October.

You can take a break from the polo matches with a hike in the park or a tour of Will Rogers' cowboy-styled residence. Below is the Chef's video visit to a Will Rogers Polo Club Match.

Will Rogers Polo Match - Video

Play it here. The video runs 2 minutes, 29 seconds.


Now on to the main food event -- Mackerel Potato Salad. The Chef offers a German style vinegar/mustard dressing mixed into yellow potatoes and packaged mackerel, both bought on sale at this 99c only Store. You can use any canned fish in water including sardines, salmon, herring or tuna, often on sale at any market. Chopped green onion adds color and crunch. You can serve this potato salad warm or cold, and it complements sandwiches and beer.

Ingredients (serves about 4)

• 2 lbs. gold potatoes - or substitute red or white small potatoes
• 2 whole green onions chopped
• 3 tbsp. dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp. cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. sugar or substitute (taste for sweetness)
• 1 tbsp. dried dill (2 tbsp. if fresh chopped)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 5 oz.of cooked jack mackerel from can or pouch - ok to substitute any tinned fish in water

Directions
Chop potatoes into about 1 inch pieces with or without skin on. Add to low boiling water for about 10-15 minutes. Done when easily pierced with a fork. Drain and set aside while preparing dressing. Whisk together mustard, oil, sugar, and vinegar. Mix together potatoes, dressing, and dill and season with salt and pepper. Finally, drain and lightly mix in fish, trying to keep fish as larger flakes. Serve warm or chilled.
 


By the way, many California parks will be fee free for a couple of weekends this summer:
July 18-19, 2009
August 15-16, 2009
Click here for info -- Will Rogers State Historical Park is not on the list :(
Thanks for the heads up Bargain Babe.

Click here to embed or view video on youtube.