Grilled Cheese - Butter Vs. Miracle Whip

I love a good grilled cheese sandwich. In high school, I used to get a grilled cheese and chocolate chip cookies for lunch almost daily. The school's convection oven would toast up the bread but leave it buttery and the cheese was always perfectly melted. And the cookies were barely cooked and more like cookie dough than cookies. They were a hit with everyone and sold out daily!

Grilled cheese is a simple sandwich but oh so delicious. Recently I read that people use mayo on the bread instead of butter. This made me really curious and I decided to try it. My guy was on board for this taste test as well so we cooked them up one night at his out. We like Miracle Whip over mayo so we used that for the sandwiches.

 I buttered and Miracle Whipped the breads with equal amounts and waited for the pan to heat up.

 We made the butter version first so as to not have the mayo affect the flavor of our control sandwich.

 It grilled up nicely with two pieces of American cheese inside - all melty and gooey.

 Then it was Miracle Whips turn to show us what its got.

 It grilled up differently and left the bread softer, making it harder to flip. I kept mushing the bread.

 I had to flip it multiple times to get it to brown up and get crisp on the outside.

 Finally it was done.

We cut each sandwich in half and began the taste test. The sandwich with butter was crisp on the outside with melty cheese in the middle - just as I like it. The Miracle Whip sandwich was softer on the outside and was harder to cut without tearing the bread. However, the Miracle Whip added a unique tang to the sandwich that I quite enjoyed. I wish the bread would crisp up more. Possibly a "firmer" bread could help to not have the sandwich be as soft. These were made with Sara Lee Old Fashioned bread. It is a softer bread and one of my guy's favorites. 

I picked up some seafood bisque from Key Westconsin for us to have with the sandwiches. This was excellent - a tad spicy, but dunking the sandwiches in it brought the spice down to my level. I felt so grown up with my fancy tomato soup (bisque) and unique grilled cheese.

I recently got a Cuisinart Griddler and love making Panini sandwiches on it. I haven't tried Miracle Whip on it yet, but I think the pressing of the bread would definitely help it crisp up.

Here is a ham and white American cheese sandwich that I made recently to test out the press. I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil on the bread instead of butter (per the instruction book's suggestion). And I used Brownberry Country Sourdough - a firmer bread.

Once your sandwich is made, you press the lid down lightly for 30 seconds and then let the sandwich cook for about 5 minutes. I checked on it a few times when I heard sizzling and it was browning nicely.

Voila! The final product. It had cheese oozing out of the side of the sandwich, so I now know that one piece of cheese will be plenty for a Panini.

 The sandwich was very crisp on the outside and warm and melty on the inside. I love Paninis!

I can't wait to experiment with it more and show you other sandwiches that I have created on it.

Cafe de Arts has some excellent Panini sandwiches. Let me just hint at a roast beef Panini I made for my guy based off of a sandwich from Cafe, that he told me was the best thing I have ever made for him! That will be on the blog soon!

Cafe de Arts Lunch Date

My guy works for a financial institution and gets extra postal holiday days off throughout the year. This allowed us to have lunch together on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day last month. Because of its proximity to my job, and the fact that my guy had not been there yet, we went to Cafe de Arts.

I cannot say enough nice words about Ayhan, his wife and the staff of Cafe de Arts. No matter how busy they are, which is all the time, they stop what they are doing for a moment and say hi to everyone that comes in. It's that extra step of customer service that really sets them ahead of the pack.

We chose a small table with comfy wingback chairs by the front window. Menus were brought to us and I ran down a quick list of my favorites to my guy. I always have a tough time deciding because everything is consistently delicious!

I went for one of my faves, the chicken Caesar salad, and my guy chose something I had never tried before, The Fauve, a breakfast sandwich. It came highly recommended by the owner :)

While we waited for our lunch, I explained to my guy that the interior was recently painted and looks great. The warm wall colors were replaced with a refreshing blue. The owners really have a knack for design and it shows with the mural concepts inside and on the outside of the building. 

Our lunches soon arrived and looked splendid. The thing that makes the chicken Caesar salad my favorite is the perfectly grilled, juicy chicken. Just the right amount of dressing coats the salad but doesn't take away from the other flavors. Excellent croutons and Parmesan cheese complete the salad. The crusty roll with butter on the side is top notch too!

My guys sandwich was presented with a gorgeous and refreshing side of strawberries and apples atop lettuce with light dressing. The sandwich itself was a revelation in the words of my guy - something he would have never thought would go together and it did. I tried a bite and was pleasantly surprised I could taste each flavor. Just a small amount of jelly added sweetness and the warm egg and bacon made the peanut butter creamier. The egg was also cooked perfectly to my liking.

We were both really big fans of our lunch and left full but not stuffed. I couldn't finish my salad but ate up every bit of chicken and croutons I could find.

Although neither my guy or myself are coffee drinkers, the way the place smelled of fresh brewed coffee made us feel energized and happy. My coworkers grab coffee regularly on there way into work and rave about it. He sells the roasted beans by the pound as well and has a small selection of other coffee related merchandise.

This is definitely worth a stop for a cup of joe on your way into work, breakfast or lunch, or just to to have a drink with a friend and catch up. Many people also hold small meetings or do work at one of the tables while enjoying a drink and eat. The place is very conducive for those purposes. They are only open through lunch and then they begin roasting the coffee for the next day so get there early in order to enjoy!

Cranberry Sandwiches in Waukesha

When it comes to sandwiches, Waukesha has the cream of the crop. There are so many options and there is definitely something for everyone's taste.

Waukesha Riverwalk

This past week, I took some walks around downtown and made the decision twice this week to get a sandwich that had cranberries on it. I know it's not cranberry season, but I love the tartness of the berry when it's paired with cheese and other savory treats.

So weird to see so much of downtown now that the old buildings are torn down. What will take it's place?

Allison Art House

Gazebo that used to be at the 5 Points - Never noticed the stained glass before.

Avalon Square water feature - at night it's illuminated by color changing LED lights

My first cranberry sandwich was from Rochester Deli. I took a stroll through downtown and then swung by for a sandwich. I choose the Turkey Cheddar Panini - made with homemade cranberry relish, mayo and grilled on Vienna bread.

Rochester Deli Turkey Cheddar Panini

It was delicious and definitely hit the spot. The cranberries were large and really paired against the cheddar well. Warm, melty, and crisp bread - everything that makes a great panini. I chose the potato salad as a side and it too was great. A little more mustard than I typically like, but I ate it all. And a crisp pickle to finish the meal.

Rochester Deli

Oh and I can't forget to mention that I splurged on a lemon bar - fan-freaking-tastic. Due to the overwhelming response on the desserts and cakes that Rochester Deli is known for, Periwinkles Bakery was opened just next door to provide more dedicated space to the sweeter side of the deli. I will definitely consider this bakery the next time I need a treat for a group.

My next cranberry sandwich was the Cranberry Bog from The Steaming Cup. The road construction on Clinton Street does make it a little more challenging to get to this shop, but it's definitely worth it. I have had the bog before and it does not disappoint. It has cranberry cream cheese, mustard, turkey and pecans on a cranberry role. The cranberry role makes this one so unique, and although I am not a big mustard fan, the mustard on this one really adds a nice bite to the sandwich. 

The Steaming Cup - Cranberry Bog

While in The Steaming Cup I saw that they have some new sandwiches and one was an ambrosia chicken salad. I will have to stop back and try that too.

Waukesha Riverwalk

Waukesha's famous river bears

Downtown Waukesha's restaurants really set the bar high for quality and flavorful food. I don't have bad experiences when I eat downtown and I feel good supporting the local businesses. Not to mention my walk to and from these businesses is really pretty now that spring as finally sprung! 

Pat's Rib Place

So many people have told me to go check out Pat's Rib Place in Waukesha and I just never got around to it. Luckily, I have foodie friends in Waukesha that like to check out places too, so I finally checked it out and was crazy impressed with the place.

Pat's Rib Place is across from the (now closed) K-Mart in the blue strip mall (between East and Big Bend Road) on Sunset. It's located in a former Subway location, as Subway moved down the strip mall into part of the former Dollar Discount I used to work at. Oh those were the days!  The other part of the dollar store is Robert's Specialty Meats - an amazing butcher shop that you must go to for the brats in summer!

But I digress.

Pat's was smaller than I thought it would be but the counter that would have had all the toppings for a sub, was changed into a counter with tall stools. You order at the far end and then pickup is where ever they can get the tray to you through the crowd (usually the other end of the bar).

Both Katherine and I went for the pulled pork dinner which included the sandwich, coleslaw, beans and a side. Fries are the typical side but for a small upcharge, you can get many other options. I chose fries and Katherine went for the fried okra.

While we waited for the food to be ready, Katherine and I caught up a bit. She recently started Katie's Gourmet Instant Oatmeal and so our lunch was part enjoying a new-to-us place and we part business. It was about food, so it was the perfect sort of business to talk :)

She has been really successful with online sales, having a farmer's market presence and she is in the Albrecht's Sentry in Delafield and O' What a Day Cafe. And I am now happy to announce that her oatmeal can also be found at the Fox Bros. Piggly Wiggly's in Hartland and Oconomowoc. Go Katie!

She provided me samples of her oatmeal to try and share my thoughts of them on my blog. So look for those posts coming soon!.

Ok - back to the food at Pat's Rib Place. The food came out and I could not believe the amount of pork on the sandwiches.

 

I took the lid off my coleslaw and used it to try the five different sauces on the table.  My favorite was "Alisha's Special Sauce" and I mixed that with the "Brown Brown" to get a little more sweet than hot flavor on my pork The sandwich was scrumptious! I wanted to eat it all, but I knew there was no way I could without needing a nap and being gluttonous. The fries seemed to be double fried and were crispy outside and soft and mushy inside - perfect fries to me.

 

The coleslaw wasn't overly creamy and didn't have a vinegar taste either. I added just a little pepper and it was good. The beans were tangy and sweet but I couldn't finish those either so I took those home as well. 

Katherine loved the sandwich too, and with it being the first time trying fried okra, it was a hit. The little nuggets tasted sort of like fried green beans - but better :) I would definitely order those next time.

We both asked for boxes to take home the leftovers and added a bit more sauce before we left. Our only suggestion would be to toast the buns. My bun got really soggy and with a toasted bun, it will add another level of awesome to an already great sandwich.

I can't wait to come back and try more off the menu. I recently checked out Smoke Shack in Milwaukee. I think Pat's Ribs Place has them beat except for the custom cocktails, but I don't need those to enjoy a great meal. Pat's has beers to choose from if you needed a little something extra with your meal, but honestly, it's really all about the smokey meats and Pat's excels at that!

In the Milwaukee A-List - Pat's Rib Place was voted 5th out of 25 restaurants (most being in Milwaukee). I think this really shows just how excellent of a place this is to check out.

Wauk Wednesday: Le Caffe Bistro

When I used to attend Cardinal Fitness (now Experience Fitness), I would get a light breakfast with my mom after our workout at Le Caffe Bistro. However, when I moved south of Waukesha, I cancelled my membership last Spring and now I forget the cafe is there. I need to get it back into rotation.

Le Caffe Bistro is a small coffee shop that features Alterra coffee drinks, wraps, soups, quiche, bakery items and a few other specialty treats. It's located on Sunset between Prairie & Sentry Dr. The cafe is decorated with a large wall mural and a canopy over the order counter.

Many teas to choose from at the counter

Alterra products

There are comfy chairs, tables, window seats and a very large table for a group to meet at. It also has a faux fireplace to add to the comfort of the place.

Comfy chairs facing the fireplace

Table for 8!

beautiful mural

I stopped in over my lunch to grab something to eat and drink. I always have a hard time deciding because everything sounds so good. The wraps are really loaded with filling, so I went with a wrap and some soup to warm me up. 

I chose the Turkey Swiss on a wheat wrap with broccoli cheddar soup and a caramel apple cider (as a treat).

The drink was ready right away. I was taking it all to go so I didn't pop the lid open on the cider and risk a mess in my car. It was pretty hot and I used the cup as a hand warmer as I waited for my lunch.

The wrap and soup came up shortly after. I took my items and headed back to the office.

I knew the wrap was going to be big, but I forgot just how big they are. There is so much flavor in each bite. The honey mustard complimented the turkey and Swiss perfectly with really crisp lettuce.

The soup was still piping hot when I dug in after having some of the wrap. It had large pieces of broccoli in it and was the right amount of cheesy. I was very full after this so I saved the other half of my wrap for dinner.

The caramel apple cider (tho not good for me) was delicious. I had to wait until after my meal to enjoy it due to my Vitamin C issue. With the soup and wrap as a base, I literally guzzled down the cider, which also stayed very warm while I ate. This is the perfect beverage for me, a non-coffee drinker - warms me up and tastes great.

Come by on a Saturday afternoon and enjoy some coffee or a wrap in this cozy cafe. It's worth the drive if you aren't from the area.

Wauk Wednesday: Rochester Deli

Rochester Deli is a staple in downtown Waukesha. Many other businesses have come and gone on that part of Broadway, but Rochester Deli has no problem with business. Lunch is always a busy time and if you aren't there by noon, you won't get a seat right away. But the turn over is quick and there are a lot of tables.

I usually take my lunch to go, because sitting there usually has me make decisions about dessert that I shouldn't. On top of being an amazing deli, the Rochester Deli also has some really amazing desserts including cakes, tarts, cookies and more. They even do wedding cakes!

I swung by on my lunch last week and ordered the daily special to go. Yes, on top of having a million amazing soup, salad and sandwich combos, they offer a different special each day of the week. You can find out about the special on their Facebook page or on their website by signing up to order online. You have to select a time and day to be able to see the special, but that doesn't mean your order is placed and you can just browse.

They do suggest for people placing to-go orders to order it online to reduce the wait time. The online ordering system is very hi-tech and your order will be ready for you at the time specified.

The special was a hot ham and brie sandwich on a pretzel bun with honey mustard. I had the options of potato salad, coleslaw or chips and I went for the potato salad.

While waiting, I bumped into Carolyn from the Biz Alliance and she ordered the same thing with two cups of soup for her and her friend to split. They too couldn't resist the pretzel bun.

My order was ready shortly after and I hurried back to work to enjoy! Plus talking to Carolyn kept me away from the dessert counter where the chocolate dipped peanut butter cookies were calling my name. They are sooooo good, but being the size of my head and I'm not good at sharing sweets, I really didn't need it. I'll come back for one soon!

The sandwich was delicious. I wish the ham would have been spread out more across the bun, but I love pretzel buns, so I ate the whole thing regardless where the brie was. Look at that packed sandwich!

Potato salad was nice and refreshing and not over mayo-y. And all sandwiches come with a pickle spear and their's are always crunchy!

Some of my favorites from their menu are the egg salad sandwich, beef wellington sandwich (Wednesday special), crab cake Po' Boy (during Lent), raspberry chicken salad and the chicken dumpling soup. And as I already mentioned, the chocolate-dipped peanut butter cookies, lemon bars and carrot cake are really good!

My company has even ordered lunch for a corporate luncheon and everyone loves it. It is worth every cent that I pay for it, but when you tack on a cookie or other dessert, it is a bit much for me to spend on a lunch regularly. They are up for best sandwich shop on the A-List and that will be revealed soon. They are usually also voted best Reuben sandwich, but I don't have it often. Why don't you stop by and see if the votes are right? Or if you have already eaten there, tell me what you think.

Happy Eating!

Wauk Wednesday: O' What A Day Cafe

Ever since starting my Facebook page for my blog, I have really started to see that Waukesha businesses are understanding Social Media. Not all get it yet (I can help with that), but those that do, make my stomach begin to rumble mid-morning while I'm figuring out lunch.

Last week, I saw on Facebook that O' What A Day Cafe had butternut squash soup, which is one of my new favorites. I hadn't even realized they had lunch yet, so double excitement. I walked on over to Main Street Plaza on a beautiful early December day to grab my lunch to-go.

I was pleasantly surprised at how much work had happened since the last time I was in the location (about a week after they opened for some amazing cupcakes.) They put in a long bar on one wall with stools at it. A few low tables are in the middle and two high tops are against the other wall.

The cupcakes are still displayed on the counter, but I had to resist today (I have been indulging a bit too much lately in sweets).

Cupcakes on Display

I was greeted by a very friendly employee who helped me pair up a soup and 1/2 sandwich combo, although I didn't see it on the menu. Of course I got the butternut soup and she suggested the honey ham wrap that was the special.

I went with her suggestion and took a seat while it was prepared. Two older ladies were enjoying coffee and cupcakes. She told me that I was going to love my sandwich as she had it last week. I then noticed that they serve Alterra coffee and breakfast items - too bad they aren't open until 9 am, so I'm already at work and can't partake except on a weekend.

It only took a few minutes until the employee was back with my soup in a styrofoam coffee cup and told me about the apple, red pepper chutney on top (more stomach rumbles!)

I walked back to work and couldn't wait to dig in. The soup was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. The apple chutney added a crunch element that put it to the top of my soup list. Overall the soup had a slight spice kick, but not too much to kill my tastebuds.

The wrap was thin, but I didn't need much after the soup. I picked swiss on the ham wrap and the honey mustard was homemade and delicious. I also got some potato (maybe veggie) chips and fresh green beans on the side. I love healthy options and finished everything!!!

This whole meal was wonderful and I can't wait to go back to try more food, coffee drinks and of course cupcakes. So if you get a chance, definitely stop by for a bite or take some cupcakes home!