Hi ... sorry I've been M.I.A., I had a ton of work and an emergency that kept me away. Still have plenty of work, but this back load of stuff is eating a hole in my 'blog pocket' ... so be prepared for some frequent updates to catch me up ... and now my recipe for making The Ultimate Jay-Z sandwich ...
The Ultimate Jay-Z Sandwich
Recipe courtesy of Sunny Anderson, 2009
1 amazing bff
2 round trip train tickets to Philadelphia
1 Foodie car service driver
2 trips to Max's
1. Take one amazing BFF that knows even though you've been many times, your guy has yet to see a live Jay-Z show and add her to a conversation with an industry friend she knows that has tickets to said show. Mix them with Power 99 in Philadelphia until they become 2 Powerhouse tickets. Get online and book 2 round trip train tickets to Philadelphia while rapidly stirring until all work for the weekend is done, leaving two days free.
2. Catch the train to Philadelphia and look for car service driver to take us to eat and then to hotel. Preheat the driver by telling him you know where you want to get your cheesesteak, but you just can't remember the name of the place. Put smart car service driver in the hot seat and challenge him by revealing you really only know one cross-street and that it's next to some train tracks. Grill driver with seasonings of details like "it's a cheesesteak spot that turns into a bar when you walk past the register" and "they sell socks on the corner". Flip when foodie car service driver is done being grilled and says "Oh, that sounds like Max's!!". Mash together thoughts of what you will order and what you will drink, then scoop out of the car and onto the sidewalk to fresh Philadelphia air.
3. Open door and press buttons to make pictures and finally capture record of your favorite place to get cheesesteaks in Philly. Think to yourself, if only your memory was as good as your sensory functions. Watch it sizzle.
4. Tilt and look down the line to snap a photo of the man that has made you at least 15 cheesesteaks since you found him 3 years ago, 2 of those cheesesteaks being made on Thanksgiving.
5. Briskly place your order for 2 cheesesteaks and snap more photos.
6. Knead into your head that you will eat every single piece of the beef-steamed bun when it hits your tray. Carbo-what's?
7. Ask for hot peppers (right bin) as opposed to sweet peppers (left bin) for your cheesesteak and ketchup ... why not?
8. Unfold wrapper and quickly take a photo before you eat more than a pound of beef, set on tender-steamed bread that is slathered with mayo, a melted layer of provolone, a squeeze of ketchup and a handful of hot peppers.
9. Go to Jay-Z show and enjoy.
10. Let body and belly rest overnight.
Return to Max's the next morning before you head back to NYC for another run of cheesesteaks.
11. Get mesmerized by the steam and drift ...
12. Repeat steps 4-7, adding Cheez Whiz (don't judge) this time around.
13. Get back to the train station just in time to get back to NYC and slip into an Ultimate Jay-Z Sandwich coma for the ride home.
Serving Size: Ok, a "Giant" costs twice as much, plus 5 cents and a "HALF" is larger than a true half of a "GIANT". So, I can't judge what 4 "HALF"-steaks equate, but they surely were giant in many respects. Also, who's on first? Teeheehee
Calories: Too many to count
Nutritional Content: Is processed cheese a food group?
Time: 2 days
BTW, if you catch Cooking for Real regularly, first thank you so much and second ... this blog may fill in the blanks for a story I told on a past show or two. I mentioned a place in Philadelphia that I love to visit for cheesesteaks, but couldn't remember the name. Well, here it is. I asked the guy for his name and he kindly declined, but allowed me to snap away. He works there everyday and quite like Dom at DiFara's here in Brooklyn, he is the only one to touch your cheesesteak. He's also part of the experience. You feel like family and boy, when you mix that with food you can't go wrong. Philly you guys are pretty lucky to have him ... too bad you have to wait another year for that World Series Title :-). J/K, but not :-P
That's my lap-plate lol. I tore into it and didn't come up for air until a few bites were left and I was stuffed. I just knew I would do some walking last night to compensate, but there was no gym at my hotel and I didn't want to walk that late in the dark. So, that's what I get ... a double walk tomorrow in the heat! I don't mind. I actually miss it. I think it's the thinking time I miss from gardening last year. Very calming. So anyway, I got up this morning to hang out with Bill and the crew over at The 10! Show ...
The audience was just to the left of this and the other host, Luann came in for a bite.
Before I left, I asked the audience if they would take a picture for my blog and they all yelled and that's when I leaned in for this!
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