Recipe Review

Veering a little from our normal blog topics, we thought we'd share our favorite new dinner recipe. It was an entry from one of the contestants on Food Network's "Ultimate Recipe Showdown." She didn't win, but the recipe sounded so good we had to try it. It has definitely earned a place in our recipe rotation! I am not a beer fan, but the rosemary-ale jus is fantastic.

We have slightly adapted it for two people. The original 4-serving recipe is linked below.

Pumpernickel Pastrami Panini with Rosemary-Ale Jus

Adapted from original recipe by Emily Hobbs, available at Food Network.com

Makes 2 servings

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• ~1/2 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup dark beer (we used Shiner 100th Anniversary Centennial Ale)
  
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary leaves (we used dried)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 3/4 of a yellow onion (we used a sweet yellow onion)
  
• 1 1/2 cup apples, cored & thinly sliced (~1 1/4 apples; we used Fuji)
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ~1/2 lb shaved pastrami
• 4 slices pumpernickel bread
• 4 ounces thinly sliced sharp white Cheddar

Directions

Core & thinly slice the apples; thinly slice the onion.

To make the rosemary-ale jus, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium sized saucepan (we used 2 qt. pot), over medium-low heat; whisk in beef broth, beer, garlic, rosemary, onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and allow to simmer.

In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onion, apple, salt and the additional 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until light golden brown and tender; remove from skillet and set aside.

Divide pastrami equally between 2 slices of bread; top with apples and onions, and white Cheddar cheese. Top with remaining bread slices.

Melt 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet; place 2 sandwiches in pan, place the bottom of a heavy skillet on top (we used a flat-bottomed 10" omelet pan), and press down to flatten.

Cook for 2 minutes, flip, press down with heavy skillet again, and cook an additional 2 minutes, or until crisp. If you're making more than 2 sandwiches, repeat process with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and additional 2 sandwiches; slice sandwiches in half, diagonally. Divide rosemary-ale jus into 2 small bowls, and serve with panini for dipping.

Enjoy!