California Melt Recipes

CALIFORNIA MELT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler.
• Lay the toasted bread out on a baking sheet. Top each slice of bread with 1/4 of the avocado, mushrooms, almonds, and tomato slices. Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese.
• Broil the open-face sandwiches until the cheese melts and begins to bubble, about 2 minutes. Serve the sandwiches warm.

CAULIFLOWER MELT

Steps:

• Roast the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Cut off the cauliflower stem, then place the head cut-side down and slice into 1/2-inch-thick steaks. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, mustard powder, paprika and some salt and pepper. Brush the cauliflower steaks with the spiced oil. Place them flat on a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Carefully flip the cauliflower, return to the oven and roast until golden, another 10 to 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the honey mustard: In a small bowl, mix together the yellow mustard, stone-ground mustard and honey. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• For the sandwich build: Melt 2 tablespoons butter on a griddle over medium-low heat. Spread some honey mustard on 4 pieces of bread; top each with some cheese, roasted cauliflower, sliced pears, more cheese and another piece of bread. Place 2 sandwiches on the griddle and cover with a metal bowl. Cook until golden and crisp on the outside and gooey in the middle, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the griddle and repeat with the remaining sandwiches. Serve with the remaining honey mustard.

CLASSIC PATTY MELT

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and golden, about 25 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Mix the ground meat with the ketchup, Worcestershire, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Form the meat into 4 oblong patties in the approximate size and shape of the bread (they should be a little less than 1/2-inch-thick).
• Add 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet and heat it over medium-high heat until the foam subsides. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until cooked to medium doneness, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Add salt and pepper, if desired. Transfer to a plate.
• Wipe the skillet clean. Butter one side of half of the bread slices, then place them butter-side down in the skillet. Add a slice of cheese on top of each slice of bread, then add the patties and onions. Lay one more slice of cheese on top of the onions, then add the top slices of bread. Butter the top of the bread. Flip the sandwiches and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and cover loosely with foil. Cook the remaining sandwiches with the remaining butter in the same manner.
• Cut the patty melts in half and serve immediately.

CALIFORNIA CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Warm oil in skillet and add chicken and onion.
• Cook 15 minutes or until chicken is browned and just about done.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Place chicken on cookie sheet and top each breast with 1 to 2 slices of tomato and 2 to 3 slices of cheese.
• Place in oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese melts.
• Remove from oven, add 2 to 3 slices of avocado on top of each breast, and serve immediately.

CALIFORNIA CRAB MELT

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Combine all ingredients EXCEPT bread in a medium bowl.
• Place bread slices on a large baking sheet. Broil 5 to 6 inches from h eat until toasted (1 to 2 minutes).
• Turn bread slices over; spread each with about 1 tablespoon of the crabmeat mixture.
• Broil 5 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is bubbly (2 to 3 minutes). Serve immediately.
• Note: Some people find Swiss cheese a little strong. I'm sure Monterey Jack would work in this recipe -- and most likely Mozzarella.