Creole Pastrami & Ham Panini

Creole Pastrami & Ham Panini

I am oh so late in getting this recipe out on WildWSS, but there's still time for a little soup and sandwich treat! The cooler Fall and Winter weather is perfect for a Creole Pastrami & Ham Panini with a piping hot bowl of my   Vegetarian Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup. Since we were having the sandwiches, I decided to leave the croutons out of the soup and add some fresh grated cheese on top. 

N ow, this tasty treat has three basic "building blocks" that can be spread out - 1. Morning, get your soup on in the slow cooker - 2. Noonish, toss your Creole spiced coleslaw together to marinate - 3. Evening, just build your panini's, grill & serve. Pretty easy, right!

J ust in case you are not familiar with Panini's or a Panini Press, click here: Panini's . If you do not have a panini press, check out these options to create your very own panini; 5 Ways to Make a Hot, Crispy Sandwich Without a Panini Press. However, you can get some great bargains on panini presses at most of your houseware stores. I use a great little George Forman model that holds at least two large sandwiches, is easy to clean and stores in a small space.

N ow, this meal can be really simplified. If you don't want to tackle the soup part, you can just buy some fresh minestrone from your favorite deli or heat up a can of your favorite minestrone. Trader Joe's sells a canned minestrone that is really good! At least I think so. Check it out: Click Trader Joe's Minestrone . 

F or me, the absolute best part is the coleslaw after it's had a few hours to marinate in the Creole spices AND the Sriracha Sauce AND Trader Joe's Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce, which you can buy on Amazon. I love, love, love TJ's Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce. It's good on dogs, veggies and the tip of your finger! I mean, I could just eat the whole bowl of coleslaw by itself. Maybe these should be called Creole Asian Italian Pastrami & Ham Panini's! But that's a tad bit long... so, we'll just stick with the original. Remember, I've said many times before that I'm not a cook, but I try. And I like to try out new recipes and change them up a bit. These sandwiches had a little spicy kick from the coleslaw that just worked so well with the pastrami, ham and cheeses. Besides, we all like to "tweak" things a little. Are you ready?

Let's Try It!

Coleslaw Ingredients:(creates enough for: approx. 4 sandwiches)

• 1 bag shredded cabbage(green or green & purple combined)*
• 2 shredded carrots*
• 1/2 c. diced onion
• 1/2 c mayonnaise(I like the Best Foods with Olive Oil brand.)
• 1 tbsp. ketchup
• 1/2 tbsp sriracha sauce(or more to taste)
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp. Aioli Garlic Mustard Sauce
• 1 tbsp. dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. creole seasonings**
• 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. ground cayenne pepper

*note: You can simplify the slaw prep by using a combination coleslaw package containing the cabbage & carrots. I usually like a little more shredded carrot than the packaged mixes.
**note: You can create your own Creole seasonings by combining well: 1 tbsp. each - onion powder, garlic powder, dry basil, dry oregano; 1/2 tbsp. - dry thyme, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, celery seed and 2 1/2 tbsp paprika. 

Slaw Preparation:

1.  Place cabbage, carrots & onion(or coleslaw pack) in mixing bowl.
2. In small separate bowl, add all remaining ingredients. 

3. Combine & blend sauce ingredients well.
4. Gently fold sauce mixture into coleslaw. Cover & chill for 2 or more hours. Toss well before serving.   

Panini Ingredients:(creates: 2 - 4 sandwiches)

• 1 pack(about 8 oz.) sliced deli pastrami
• 1 pack(about 8oz.) sliced deli cooked ham
• Cheddar Cheese slices, about 8
• Mozzarella Cheese slices, about 8
• Rye Bread sliced, about 8
• butter, softened

Panini Preparation:

1. Lightly butter bread slices on one side.
2. Invert one bread slice, buttered side down, per sandwich & layer with:
- 2 slices cheddar cheese
- slices of ham, amount optional
- slices of pastrami, amount optional

- 2 slices of mozzarella cheese

3. Warm your panini press medium to medium high.
4. Toss chilled coleslaw & layer top of each sandwich half.
5. Top each sandwich half with remaining slices of bread, buttered side up.

3. Grill sandwiches until cheeses start to melt & bread toasts.

YUMMY!

S erve your Creole Pastrami & Ham Panini's with the minestrone soup (or your favorite soup), garnish with some stuffed olives or pickles and ENJOY! One last thought. Turkey day is just around the corner and there is usually left over turkey. Substitute the pastrami & ham with sliced turkey and I'm sure these would be just as tasty. So good for a cool Fall day!

Creole Pastrami & Ham Panini

Enjoy! WildWSS outta here!