THE EMPTY FRIDGE SANDWICH, PART I

So here’s the story. You’re up late trying to close a deal, finish a paper, trying to give up your facebook obsession, and you’re starving.  You open the fridge door and the only thing in there, besides the bright light, are condiment bottles, whatever remains in your produce drawer and a few leftovers. Doom, and hunger pangs, set in….

Hey, don’t sweat it. I (trusty sandwich guy) have got you covered. I’m going to turn the contents of your “empty” fridge into something awesome tasting, one sandwich at a time.  You’ve got my word, hungry sandwich makers.

OK, but to be fair, let’s first set a few ground rules. We’ll call them the “assumptions of sandwich guy.” These are assumptions of what’s in your fridge or home at all times.

AOSG #1: A few condiments in the side door, like BBQ sauce, Caesar dressing, Balsamic Vinegar, Sriracha Sauce, Mayo, Mustard, Pickles

AOSG #2:  A little in the produce drawer.  Maybe tomatoes, onion, carrot, lettuce/spinach/cabbage

AOSG #3: A fridge usually has some leftover protein in it, either from the deli, a home cooked meal, or restaurant.  Examples:  rotisserie chicken, pot roast, cheddar cheese, hot dog, turkey

AOSG #4: A piece or two of bread (Ciabatta is Mendocino Farms’ bread of choice) is in the house

Aaaand, noooow….. here’s the first empty fridge sandwich.

BBQ Chicken with Mustard Pickle Slaw

1.) Spruce up any left-over chicken by caramelizing some onions in a pan.  Add the chicken until warm, then throw in the BBQ sauce and let the sauce warm while it coats the chicken and caramelizes onions.

2.) Just as you are pulling the pan, hit it with half a handful of jack or cheddar cheese.

3.) Thinly slice cabbage, carrots or pickles. (the ratio should be 60% cabbage, %35 carrots, 5% pickles.

4.) Toss the cabbage mixture with a little dressing made of 50% ranch, 45% spicy Dijon mustard and 5% pickle juice.

5.) Pile on toasted ciabatta

Let me know how much you LOVE it and can’t live without it.

And if you’re having your own empty fridge crisis, bring it on people. Show me what you got (or don’t got.)  I’ll knock it out of the park.

Post me a challenge below.