The World's Greatest Sandwich. Not Kidding!

Did you see the movie, “Spanglish” back in 2004 about a chef, his crazy rich family and the hot nanny that comes to live with them? 

It was a good film, but you know what the best part of the movie was? The sandwich. That’s right. A sandwich. 

Here’s the scene. Adam Sandler- the chef- has had a hard day at work. He comes home to a quiet house and builds this beautiful egg sandwich. When he cuts it in half the yolk oozes out of the middles and oh my… (but he’s interrupted by the pissed-off nanny, and doesn’t get to eat the damn thing. Or does he? Like I can remember anything that long ago.)

Moving on.

So, I thought New Year’s Day deserved to come into my kitchen in an impressive way. So I did the ‘Google’, and found the recipe- Oh, Happy New Year, baby!

I whipped up a batch of my infamous Champagne Passion cocktails and re-created this glorious sandwich. The Husband actually momentarily walked away from the football to partake in a sandwich that he had been dreaming about since 2004.

2011 is going to be a great year if this sandwich is any indication!

“I quit drinking weeks ago! No one noticed, but I guess that's a pretty good indicator that I conducted myself quite well when I was drunk. But this isn't about me right now.” Quote from the movie, “Spanglish.

World's Greatest Sandwich- created by famed chef, Thomas Keller
3-4 slices of bacon
2 slices of Monterey Jack cheese
2 slices of toasted rustic country loaf (pain de campagne)
1 tbsp of mayo
4 tomato slices
2 leaves of butter lettuce
1 teaspoon butter
1 egg
Preparation:
1. Cook the bacon until crisp, drain on paper towels
2. Place slices of cheese on one side of toasted bread. Place in toaster oven or under broiler to melt.
3. Spread mayo on other slice of bread top with bacon, sliced tomato, and lettuce
4. On non-stick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Fry egg, turning over briefly when the bottom is set (keep yolk runny)
5. Slide finished egg on top of lettuce, top with other slice of bread (cheese-side down genius)
6. Place sandwich on plate and slice in half, letting yolk run down sandwich

Champagne Passion Cocktail

2 bottles of Brut champagne (no need for the expensive stuff!)

¼ cup of vodka

¼ cup of Triple Sec

¼ cup of orange juice

Dash of orange flower water. (Note- they have stopped making this ingredient so if you don’t have any you can make it.* The recipe really needs it, but if you’re too lazy I understand. Sigh.)

Pour into a large pitcher. Lock the doors and start sipping.

Orange Flower Water-

Time Required: 1 hour preparation, plus several weeks steeping time

Here's How:

1. Use flowers that have not been sprayed with herbicides, pesticides, or insecticides.
2. Flowers should not be hybrid varieties as the smell and essence may have been bred out of them in favor of "showiness."
3. Pick blossoms early in the morning before the sun gets too hot, about 2 to 3 hours after sunrise.
4. Wash the blossoms and petals in cool water and rinse thoroughly to remove insects and dirt.
5. Macerate petals using a stone or porcelain mortar and pestle and let sit for several hours.
6. Place petals in a large glass jar with lid and cover with distilled water. Less is more. You can always add more later.
7. Let stand in the full sun for a couple of weeks. Check the scent. If it is too weak leave it in the sun for another week.
8. Strain the blossom water into several smaller sterilized jars with lids.
9. Store in a cool dark location such as the refrigerator.

What You Need:

• Orange flower petals, preferably from Seville orange trees
• Distilled water
• Bowl, strainer and fresh water for washing the petals
• Stone or porcelain mortar and pestle
• Large glass jar with lid
• Small sterilized glass jars for storing the orange flower water

Then again, this really is a pain-in-the-ass, so you can leave it out. Just drink it already!