Cold Cuts for Hot Days

jill Jill's Journal 1 Comment

The temperatures at the ranch (and around the country) have been in the high 90’s with several days in triple digits — the hottest hitting 113 degrees. High temps, and no or little rain make for a nerve-racking summer. In the middle of the night, at the faintest whiff of smoke, we leap out of bed, run out the door, climb into the pick-up that’s loaded with a water tank, and drive to the top of the hill to see if fire is nearby. So far, so good.   But even with the heat, magic continues to happen on the ranch. Indigo buntings, chickadees and golden finches all had a successful hatch of chicks, and seem unaffected by the heat. They flutter around the bird feeders to and fro testing out their newly-feathered wings. I have tried to photograph the fledging little birds, but they are too fast, so I stalk flowers instead. Perhaps one of the greatest show flowers of the prairie is the Bush Morning Glory, and this year they are exceptional. Walking along the browning sage colored grass has the potential for making one a little depressed. But then you stumble upon a Bush Morning Glory, with its dark green foliage and its blast of fuchsia blooms, and you have to smile, shake your head, and say “unbelievable”.   The heat also makes it difficult to get excited about cooking, but a couple of weeks ago, I was given the assignment of photographing every cut of meat we sell. Not cooking was not an option. With no AC in the house, we use the grill for most everything: grilling, roasting, braising and even baking. This month’s recipe can be prepared on the grill as a hot sandwich, or is also delicious as a cold sandwich, perfect for those tripe digit days. Serve it up with a garden green salad, pour a crisp wine and call some friends. The perfect ingredients for a “cool, hot time in the summer”. Cheers! Jill Buffalo Pastrami and Peach Sandwiches with Orange Aioli Serves 4. This sandwich does not need to be grilled. Just slice, stack and serve! 1 – 1 lb. package Buffalo Pastrami 2 – Peaches, halved and pit removed 1 – Red Onion, peeled and sliced, lightly oiled 4oz. – White Cheddar, or mild cheese 8 – slices Artisan Whole Grain Bread 1 – Tb. Butter 2 – Tb. Orange Marmalade 8 – Tb. Orange Aioli *see recipe below Make Orange Aioli, and refrigerate until needed. Preheat gas grill to medium high heat. Ensure grill grid is clean. Divide Pastrami into 4 piles. Spray grill with non-stick spray (I don’t usually use grilling spray, but it works great for grilling fruit). Place the piled Buffalo Pastrami, Red Onion, and Peach halves on grill, and heat for 1½minutes on the first side. Close grill lid during cooking. Turn all items over. Divide cheese, and place on top of hot Buffalo Pastrami. Place a dollop of orange marmalade on top of each onion slice. Brush one side of bread with butter and place on grill, butter side down. Close lid and continue to grill for 1 minute. Remove items as they are ready, bread should be light grilled, cheese should be melted, and onions should be soft. Remove peaches, pull skin off and slice each half in two. Layer Buffalo Pastrami with cheese, grilled peaches and red onion on non- grilled side of bread. Spread on Orange Aioli and place remaining grilled bread on top. Pass with additional Aioli, and serve with green salad. Orange Aioli: 2 egg yolks, blend until …