The Fireman's Favorite Sandwich

Firemen are known for cooking well. I wish somebody would have told me that when I married The Fireman. I’m afraid he is not the best cook. Or he has me fooled. I imagine him cooking gourmet meals at work. Most departments cook as a crew. The Fireman has been on companies that cook together and fend for themselves. I think behind every good fireman cook is a wife that cooks at home. For my hubby, he doesn’t cook very often at home. He does BBQ and has become quite the grill master but he isn’t one to take over in the kitchen. I have been trying to give him some recipes to cook at the department. Some are not so healthy but oh so good. Fireman work hard. They work out hard. These men are in shape. Most are a little anal about what they put in their mouths. I’m not sure everyone at the department would eat this recipe until they smelt it. The Fireman like strong meals with bold flavors and this sandwich has all of that. You could pair it with a salad to clear your conscience but it is better paired with a beer off duty!

Now I got this recipe originally from Ree Drummond’s website Pioneer Woman. She is amazing! And if the thought of hot fireman are not enough for you, she has hot cowboys are her website! I have changed this recipe up. The first time I made it, The Fireman loved it but said it was missing something. So I made it again, adding cheese, but still he said it was missing something. So after a couple more runs at it, he had proclaimed "it's Perfect!" If you want to try her original recipe go to this website and give it a try. She has lovely named her version Marlboro Man’s favorite Sandwich. So after all the changes, I think it is only safe to call my The Fireman’s Favorite Sandwich. Hope you enjoy either version.

THE FIREMAN’S FAVORITE SANDWICH

8 cube steaks cut into strips
2 onions halved and sliced
Lawry’s Seasoning Salt
Freshly cracked Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper
1 stick of butter (real butter because butters better)
Worcestershire Sauce
Tabasco Sauce
Mayo
Muenster cheese
6 French Rolls split (Francisco's are our favorite)

In a skillet melt 1 TB butter and brown all the onions. Sprinkle Crushed Red Pepper over the onions. Don’t be scared. They don’t bite!

My family likes them dark brown. While they are browning, Slice the cube steaks into strips.


Put the onions into a bowl and guard them for life. I’m not kidding! This is a real problem in my house. Grilled or burnt onions as they are called in my house are highly addictive! Do not let them have one!

Now put all the meat into the skillet. I don’t add any more butter or oil. Season with the Lawry’s Seasoning Salt, generously and Fresh cracked pepper. I mean a lot! Go crazy with that pepper! Make sure you cook both sides!

Once the meat is cooked, add back in the onions and 4 TB of Butter. I know its a lot but do it!! And add ½ to ¾ cup of Worcestershire sauce. Honestly I don’t even measure. I just pour until it creates a gravy!

Now shake about ten shakes of the Tabasco! You can do it, it's not going to be spicy, I promise! Give it a taste and see it you want it spicier. This is when The Fireman starts getting frozen glasses out of the freezer for beer and grabs a spoon to make sure ‘his’ sauce is spicy enough! Ok another two shakes of Tabasco and it's perfect!

Now if it is just us two, I butter the rolls and grill them on a pan, but chances are that the brats are home so I turn the broiler on. I know that you already used a ton of butter but a little more wont kill you. Butter the rolls just a little and stick them under the broiler to get crisp. It makes all the difference. We have done it without the butter and butter is better!

So your diet is blown, so don’t get all scared at this point! On one side, a smidge of mayo. Now on the other side pile the steak and tons of sauce! Next, take some Muenster cheese and top it on top of the steak. If I was doing it to please, I would put the steak side back in the oven to melt the cheese, but The Fireman has his hand out and he is like the dog, licking his chops! "GIVE IT TO ME!!!!"

Even the dog is praying she will get some in her bowl! Ha!! Daddy ain’t gonna share!!!