Cartoon Meal

Note: My boys love a show on Nickelodeon called "Chowder". The characters have names based on foods like Chowder, Gazpacho, Truffles and Panini. One day the boys were asking what some of the foods were so I thought it would be fun to have a cartoon Saturday meal.

Gazpacho

Ingredients:
6 large tomatoes
1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded & chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh parsley
1 teaspoon cumin
S & P, to taste

Directions:
In a medium saucepan- boil water & add tomatoes. Boil for 15 seconds. Remove & transfer to a colander & rise under cool water, the skins should slip off easily.
Place tomatoes into food processor, along with the rest of the above ingredients.
Blend on high for several seconds, until well-mixed & blended. Chill in frig for several hours, you want the flavors to meld. Serve chilled. Enjoy.


Monte Cristo Panini

Ingredients:

8 slices sourdough bread
3 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 lb. thinly sliced deli ham
4 thin slices Swiss cheese
1/2 lb. thinly sliced deli turkey or chicken breast
4 thin slices Provolone cheese
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. oil
1 cup finely crushed Rice Krispies cereal
powdered sugar
strawberry jam

Directions:

Spread one side of each bread slice with Dijon mustard. Make sandwiches with the two kinds of cheese and the ham and turkey slices.In shallow bowl, combine egg, milk, and oil and beat well. Place crushed cereal on a shallow plate. Dip each sandwich briefly into egg mixture, then into cereal mixture to coat.Grill sandwiches in dual contact grill or panini grill or waffle iron until crisp and brown, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle hot sandwiches with powdered sugar and serve with strawberry jam for dipping.

Corn Chowder

Ingredients:
3 potatoes, peeled & cubed
1 onion, diced
1 1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 can (14.75 oz. size) cream-style corn

Directions:
Place potatoes in a large pot with water to cover. Stir in onions. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to medium-low & simmer until potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes.

Stir in evaporated milk and corn. Heat through, about 10 minutes.