Day #82, Kyle and Kenzie's Special Treat

I'm going to warn you- this breakfast is pretty much a dessert. Which most people like, but of course I'm not the biggest fan of sweets in the morning.

The Kyle and Kenzie's is made with two slices of Zingerman's challah bread, served french toast style, and filled with sweetened cream cheese and fresh strawberries. It's topped with candied pecans, and served with 100% pure maple syrup.

This breakfast entree is named after Chef Jody's kids, Kyle and MacKenzie. When they were younger she would make this for their breakfast, as a "special treat". It's a popular breakfast item, especially for those who have a sweet tooth in the morning!

I thought the Kyle and Kenzie's to be very, very good. Very sweet for breakfast, in my opinion, but I can definitely see why many people order it. The sugar berries are always amazing, and the sweetened cream cheese filling was what really made this breakfast awesome. So, if you are craving a breakfast on the sweeter side, give this one a try. Chef Jody's creations always amaze!

Day #81, #41 Joyce and All the Holy Angels

The #41 is made with rare roast beef, American Spoon portobello mushroom relish, and boursin cheese on grilled Zingerman's French Farm bread.

I've learned that I don't mind roast beef. I still prefer chicken or turkey, but if those aren't options then I think I would opt for roast beef. It's not greasy, and actually has really good flavor to it, although I do prefer to eat it warm rather than cold. So I was a little excited about this sandwich, knowing right off the bat that I probably would not hate it.

The mushroom relish and boursin cheese make an interesting, yet pretty good combination. I love boursin cheese now, but I had never even heard of it before working at the Laundry. Boursin is made from cow's milk, cream, garlic, salt, white pepper, parsley, and chives.

The American Spoon portobello mushroom relish was also a pleasant surprise. It's a blend of roasted portobello mushrooms, shiitakes, and cepes. It is also made with white wine and white wine vinegar, so it does of course have a vinegar taste to it. The mushrooms relish, boursin, and roast bee compliment each other very well.

This sandwich was named after Mark's aunt, Joyce Hamel. I'm not certain of the whole story behind the name, but I will post it when I do.

Try this sandwich! I think it's the one that changed my mind about roast beef. :)

Day #80, The Laundry Artichoke Dip

I'm amazed that I have only two more items left on the dinner menu- the artichoke dip, and charcuterie plate!

Today I'm enjoying the artichoke dip, which I am always a fan of. Many restaurants have some type of spinach and artichoke dip that they offer as a appetizer. I usually order that for an appetizer when dining out, so I've had it at many restaurants.

The laundry's is different that most others that I have had before. The first time I had it, I couldn't really place the flavor that was different...and then realized..Gorgonzola cheese. For a blue cheese, I find Gorgonzola to be very mild and manageable. I think by now everyone knows that I don't like blue cheese. However I do find the addition of Gorgonzola cheese very easy to enjoy because it is not too strong of a blue cheese flavor.

The Laundry artichoke dip is made with fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, sauteed mushrooms, French brie, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Gorgonzola cheese. It is baked until golden and served with Zingerman's French Baguette.

It's a very popular appetizer and I think most people like it for the same reasons that I do- it's a different twist on an appetizer that we are all familiar with. I also love the addition of mushrooms to the dip, but that's just because I love mushrooms in anything!

I would recommend this dish to anyone as an appetizer. If I like it, I know you will as well!

Day #79, #40 Floydian Slip

The #40 is by far one of our most popular sandwiches. It's made with raspberry jam, Zingerman's natural cream cheese, home made chicken salad, red onion and lettuce on a whole wheat wrap. 

The name from the sandwich comes from one of the very first line cooks that worked at the Laundry, named Floyd. The name Floydian Slip comes from a play on "the Freudian slip". Which is an error in speech, memory, or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of some unconscious wish, conflict, or train of thought. 

For example: She: "What would you like, bread and butter, or cake?" He: "Bed and butter."

This sandwich is incredibly popular, and it's easy to see why. Everyone loves our chicken salad, and that in combination with the cream cheese, fresh locally made jam, and crunchy lettuce and onion make it a very enjoyable decision. Very recently we switched from American Spoon Jam products to a locally made alternative jam, which is by far better in my opinion! Zingerman's natural cream cheese is something that took me awhile to get used to, mostly because it is so much softer than regular cream cheese. If you compare the ingredients in the two types of cream cheese you will see that Zingerman's is a much better choice- it is naturally made after all!

I really enjoy this sandwich, and I think it's one that everyone should try at least once! So if you haven't tried this sandwich yet, you must. It's one that I will definitely order again and again in the future!

Day #78, Appetizer- Olive Oils

An olive oil appetizer was the first appetizer that I ever ordered from the laundry- and I was so impressed by it. Our server suggested the O orange olive oil to try, and it was absolutely amazing. Our olive oil appetizer is served with Zingerman's Paesano bread, which is the perfect bread for dipping! It's the most popular bread sold by Zingerman's. It's a very moist, holey bread. The holes are signature of this loaf, which is the traditional bread of Puglia (the region in the heel of Italy’s boot).
We do however, carry a large selection of oils, and it would take some time to try them all. I have, however, taken the time to do so- so that I can fill you all in with some of my favorites, and maybe you will request a certain oil the next time you dine with us.

-Albereto- Vibrant green color, full flavored, aromatic, fruity/peppery aftertaste.
-Ceppo Anitco- golden clear yellow, gentle floral nose. Delicate, sweet and smooth, faint taste of almond.
-Laudemio-Green, fruity, and sophisticated. Fresh aroma with hints or artichoke and pepper.
-Olio Verde-Medium green but dense hued, notable vegetal nose. Intense, rich flavor. Fresh green grass ans green olives.
-Titone-Light yellow-green and transparent. Green olive nose, mild, with pleasant rounded olive flavors and leafy green notes.
-A L'oliver- Light, peppery taste, good olive flavor that lingers.
-Castelas- Crisp and fresh with hints or artichoke and almonds.
-L'Estornell- Gold with hints of green. Fruity, touch of spice and freshness.
-Tenuta del Numerouno- Naturally rich and fruity. One of the mildest unfiltered Tuscan oils, and is prized for its complexity.
-O Meyer Lemon- Meyer lemons are a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. Great citrus flavor.
-O Lime- Exotic Thaitian limes crushed with fresh California olives. Healthy, bright, crisp.
-O Orange- Organic Moro blood oranges crushed together with fresh California olives. Made by hand in small batches with a delicate hint of fresh raspberries.
-Capezzana-Green color, fresh, zingy, olive aroma with a light, smooth texture. Long finish with a balance of fruity and bitter olive flavor.

My favorite olive oils that we carry are the O olive oil brand. The citrus flavors are absolutely amazing with the oil, and make for a very unique, but great appetizer! We also sell all of our olive oils retail if you would like to take them home with you to enjoy!

You can also visit http://www.lunchandbeyond.com/OliveOil.pdf to read more about our olive oils and olive oil production!

Day #77, Oysters Rockefeller

Going into this appetizer I realized that I have never tried oysters before. It just didn't sound like something I would like. Our oyster appetizer is a little less intimidating because the oysters are cooked, and topped with spinach, onion, bacon and Pernod mixture, and topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. It made me a little less nervous because they aren't raw, the way oysters can be often served.

Oysters Rockefeller was created at the New Orleans restaurant Antoine's. The dish was named Oysters Rockefeller after John D. Rockefeller, the richest American at the time, for the richness of the sauce. We use Pernod in the sauce, which is the brand name for an anise flavored liqueur, called a pastis.

So what did I think? I loved the topping. It was cheesy and very flavorful. It made trying oysters so much better than I had expected. The oyster itself was not horrible, almost okay in my book as far as seafood goes. The only thing that bothered me was texture, but I guess that might be better for me the next time I try oysters- I'll know what to expect then.

Day #76, #38 Tiffany "Fweef" Salcini

I was so nervous about trying this sandwich!

The #38, or Tiffany "Fweef" Salcini is made with warm pastrami, red onion, scallion cream cheese, jalapeno peppers, and honey mustard on grilled Zingerman's pumpernickel bread.

Jon Foley, our bar manager, shared it with me when I finally decided that I was up for the challenge. It's one of his favorite sandwiches, along with the #13, which he also split with me. Apparently he is a huge fan of pastrami.

Pastrami is a popular delicatessen meat usually made from beef, and, like corned beef, originally created as a way to preserve meat before modern refrigeration. For pastrami, the raw meat is brined, partly dried, seasoned with various herbs and spices, then smoked and steamed. I thought it was very interesting to learn the difference between corned beef and pastrami, and now I can explain that to guests! :)

The #38 is named after a past manager of the laundry named Tiffany Salcini. Her nickname was "fweef", but no one working here now really remembers why she was called that. If you know, let us know! Tiffany also has the #36, Miss Smiles' Rainy Day Tuna named after her as well.

This sandwich wasn't so bad after all, but I think the fact the I'm not a pastrami person makes my opinion very biased. It has good flavor from the pastrami, and a little kick from the jalapenos, but that of course is calmed down just enough by the scallion cream cheese. Others are huge fans of this sandwich, but it's going to take a little more time for me to be comfortable eating pastrami....but hopefully I'm getting there!