Hot Slaw Bacon Sandwich with Cheese
My German heritage means I’ve always made and loved Hot Slaw…but this Hot Slaw Bacon Sandwich with Cheese is new, and a great addition to my family recipe repertoire!
I was afraid tonight I was going to have to change my name completely. I have long had intentions of changing my last name but I’ve kept my ex-husband’s name to make it easier for our kids. OK, enough is enough, right? Lauren just turned 28 and is on her own (there might be a ‘finally’ lurking in there somewhere!) and I no longer have to worry about schools or friends trying to find me for any reason and not knowing my last name.
Some time ago I decided my new last name would be Baker. Why? My maiden name is Bathe. Go ahead, pronounce it. You would be wrong. It’s not associated with bathing at all but has a long ‘e’ and is pronounced Baythee. I grew tired of always having to spell it and pronounce it for EVERYONE. So then I married someone with all the same issues…how I long for simple.
I’ve put a lot of thought into it. Starts with the same letter…the same two even. Still five letters. Most people know how to pronounce AND spell it and well, I might love to bake just a bit. Now hopefully I will find time soon to bring it to fruition.
Then there is the first name. Tonight I channeled a Food Network personality and was sure I was destined to be Sandra Lee Baker. Yes, her…you know who I’m referring to. The one with the shortcuts that most of us look at and just grimace. But I was almost there and then I was rescued by a loaf of freshly made French bread.
I’ve just recently started participating in Recipe Swap, an effort that is organized by Christianna from Burwell General Store. Our fearless leader chooses a recipe from a very old cookbook and we put our own spin on it.
Last month I reneged on rabbit but managed Welsh Wabbit; substituting chicken for the rabbit and instead of a stew, offering smoked chicken over mashed potatoes with a beer/cheese sauce. It was fun to modify something and make it more current and that dish was so good!
When I first saw the recipe for this month I was delighted. The ‘Hot Slaw’ was perfect. I had a recipe of sorts that I’ve made for years. It was one of the few times I can remember spending some time in the kitchen with my Dad and making something he had always just pulled together and I thought I could pull that same rabbit out of the hat combined with a story of my youth.
It was slaw, it was hot and it would be perfect. So perfect that I didn’t stress and just made sure I had ingredients on hand and yes, waited until the last minute because, well, it was a no brainer, right?.
And then it happened. My daughter dropped by late afternoon and I’m sure that must have been the reason something at the very back of my mind wiggled it’s way forward and I did a search on my own blog and…NO; please…say it ain’t so! It would have been OK if it was an old recipe just in text but nope… just about a year ago, photo and all for Warm Bacon Slaw that I had helped her make for friends. Uh oh.
This revelation occurred late enough in the afternoon that I became a frantic hot mess. Find something else, shower, dress, get to the store and get the dish made, photographed and this post done in a bit more than 4 hours. I thought I could pull it off and that’s where Sandra Lee was supposed to help.
I wanted to do something unique and LOVED this dish I found for Pagach (Slovak Cabbage Bread). I knew there was no way I was going to be able to make bread and that’s where Sandy took over my thinking. I would buy some of that bread in a can…I was sure it would be OK and I sure didn’t have time for proofing so I was set and off I went…feeling slightly guilty but determined nonetheless.
Lucky for me I found an even better solution. The first thing I saw when I walked into the market were loaves of freshly baked French bread…and I was able to let Sandy go AND give myself an even bigger break; I know you will all understand.
I did modify my version to include some bacon, balsamic vinegar and cheddar cheese. I had no idea at 4pm that this sandwich would be going on this post this evening but I must say that for all of the rush, the bit of stress and the mess my kitchen is in now…this sandwich is tasty, easy and a real winner. And I’m happy that I’m still Barb even if wishing a bit for a Baker.
Hot Slaw, Bacon and Cheese Sandwich for #Recipe Swap
Ingredients
- ½ lb bacon
- 1 head of cabbage - I've used a half head each of regular and red cabbage
- 1 medium sweet onion
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- Salt and pepper
- 6 ounces of sliced sharp cheddar but I would also use a white cheddar or Swiss cheese for this too
Instructions
- Brown bacon in large skillet and remove it to paper towels once crisp; leaving the bacon dripping in the skillet.
- Put shredded cabbage, sliced onion and balsamic vinegar into same skilled with bacon drippings and cook over low heat til wilted and caramelized; approximately 20-25 minutes. Add minced garlic and cooked bacon to skillet and cook all together for 5 minutes.
- Preheat over to 300 degrees.
- Slice French bread in half. Pile the mixture on the bottom half.
- Add slices of cheese over top of bread and place 2nd piece of bread on top.
- Wrap completely in aluminum foil.
- Bake for 25 minutes until cheese is melted. Slice and serve.
Just stumbled crossed this and had to stop and say how delicious it looked!
Thanks Kita; I’ve been making the slaw mix and using it as a side too. With everything! Eggs, steak, on pork chop. I’m sort of addicted.
yummy! I’m hungry 🙂
oh my goodness does that look good!!
Late catching up with comments but I saw yours on the Hot Slaw, Bacon and Cheese sandwich. I had some of the slaw leftover. I think I’ve tried it warm up with eggs, steak, on a sandwich…it is quite the versatile little condiment Aggie!
Ohh I like the combination of the cheddar and the bacon with the cabbage…such a rich and tasty looking sandwich!
LOL…you’re a nut. I’m sorry you will always be Barb to me and I suppose BB sometime in the future, but no way am I calling you Sandy. LOVE the sandwich!
Whew…good thing. I am so NOT a Sandy. Glad to have you come visit…since you never write, you never phone. 🙂
I like your solution, and I like your new name. GREG
Then that’s it, the vote I needed. Actually now on my to do list!
Wow — your sandwich looks fab! And it includes all my favorite things! I have a bunch of extra cabbage on hand so this may be Saturday lunch. Thanks for the idea!
Most welcome Lynn. I have a half of each of those heads left and we enjoyed this so much I’m making some more. We had leftovers that we served alongside fried eggs one morning and smoked pork steaks for dinner. Multi purpose food!
Hi Barb-LOVE this sandwich. Your name story has me giggling. I luckily got another Italian name when I got married. A shorter and what I thought would have been easier name to pronounce. People mangle it just like my maiden name and still call me Lori. My pet-peeve. 😉
Ouch Laura I’m sorry to hear that. 🙂 Sorry, simply could NOT help myself. You can call me Babs. Once.
Hi Barb, The sandwich looks scrumptious, too bad I don’t eat bacon.:(
You know what…it was so good but even without bacon it would be good. The original recipe called for using butter to saute the cabbage and onions and did not have bacon…so you could certainly do that and I’m sure it would be fabulous too.
I haven’t change my name after marriage. Not yet 😉
These look lip-smacking delish! Nothing beats freshly baked breads.
So true…anything on a loaf of hot fresh bread would probably taste good, huh?
This looks absolutely delicious! I love a hot balsamic slaw-plus bacon and cabbage were meant to be together. Then you add some melty cheese? My.Hero! So glad I ran across your site!
The truth is Madi that once I started adding balsamic to grilled onions I can not hold myself back! Not a lot but just deepens that flavor. Next time I want to try this with a white cheese…there will be a next time.
Fresh bread and bacon get my thumb up delicious 🙂 Thank you for sharing recipe with us.
Thank you for visiting…and I’m with you. Bacon anywhere in a dish and I’m usually in love.
Bacon, Cabbage and cheese? Yup, I’m hooked! This sounds so hearty and delicious- sometimes cooking under pressure is the best way to get it all done! We’ve all been there- nice swap!
Thank you Monique…it’s funny how something so unplanned and yes, done under file, turned out so well. We loved it. A lot!
Yes, me too! I kept my married name after the divorce and only when I remarried I changed it (it was more to avoid another bureaucratic hassle, than to facilitate the connection between my daughter and me:)
I laughed hard when I tried to imagine you pulling off Sandra Lee – I respect you too much to put the two of you together in the same sentence:) I am happy that you are just Barb(ara).
That sandwich sounds divine – perfect for incoming chilly nights. We have decided to have at least one sandwich night a month when I come back, and I am looking forward to including this one in our dinner routine.
Thanks for thinking of me and my mom – it means so much to me:)
I would have to change pretty dramatically to pull her off. My curtains are not color coordinated to my food. Uh oh! Take care Lana.
I love the name Barb Baker. My maiden name was Dempsey. I thought that having my husbands name would simplify things greatly. How difficult is it to spell ‘Wise’…..
Weiss, Wyse, Wize…….the list goes on. No one knows how to spell ‘Wise’ when I tell them my name,………C’est la vie. So, Ms. Baker. When will you change your name?
AND, no eats warm slaw here. I might make this for the Chef this evening. He loves hot slaw and it would shock the heck outta him if I made it. Lovely recipe. I am sure I will be able to do it.
I have heard that no matter what it is, some people will butcher it…but Baker has to be better than my two alternatives I think! I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of years…just need the time to manage all the minutia . Which is usually never. 🙂
Eric’s mom kept her married name even after getting divorced for the same reason… I wonder if it will stay that way for much longer now that she is retired and her children are grown up. Hmmmm…
Ok, I will tell you that this may be the most delicious sandwich I have ever seen. The perfect combo of flavors!
It’s a hassle or I would have already done it. Still…I don’t like him much; really need to get rid of ‘his’ name. Ugh
I NEED this, like RIGHT NOW!!!!!! Oh sweet baby jesus, clutching pearls as I type….
All I can do is LOL. Please don’t ruin the pearls. I’m feeling enough guilt about the almost SL experience. K?
Love you! Pearls are intact! Thank goodness! However, swear on a stack of Bibles I woke up twice in the middle of the night and thought of this sandwich, and AGAIN when I woke up at 4 am!!!!!
I had some of the ‘stuff’ leftover and it was also great with fried eggs and smoked chicken that I’ve had the last couple of days. Yum yum
There is a diff between SL and what you are doing. But I suspect you knew that… GREG
Hehe…maybe, yes. But I am a bread baker, the thought of buying dough in a Pillsbury can was fracturing…somehow buying French bread already baked seem less so.
now that’s a sandwich I could love! Bacon cheese and cole slaw! that would be heaven to devour!
I was so rushed and stressed that I didn’t eat any right away but took a slice upstairs that waited til I finished writing and I could actually relax a bit. Was a good idea. And turned out to be a good little sandwich too. Or big one I guess. Will be my dinner for this week!
I loved reading this post. I felt like I was at the supermarket with you! And, this sandwich looks amazing. I cannot wait to try it.
Thank you Natalie, considering how rushed I felt, you have made my day.
So glad that Barb won out over Sandra!!! This sandwich sounds fabulous and different from my usual BLT – definitely going to give this one a try. Looks like you could do the bacon and cabbage ahead of time, assemble everything and then pop in the oven – which makes it a perfect weeknight dinner for me!!
Really if not for the last minutes planning and having to shop and photo and well, Photoshop too…would be a really easy meal. Like it will be tonight. Slice, nuke, eat.
My mouth is literally watering from the photos Barb. Completey yummy!
Funny I should read your comment as I’m trying to finish for the night and a second slice will be my dinner again. This time without the craziness and making my own mouth water too!
DYING here!! love the whole ding-dang thing Sandy . . . Barb . . . Baker . . . Bathe . . . or whoever you are!! perfect!
Now I’m feeling an identity crisis of sorts. But I’m thinking maybe this coming out. saying it out loud will help to make it real. Barbara Anne Baker. I want it bad.
You are so funny! I can just feel the agonizing mess you became thinking about channeling Sandra Lee! Well, I think most of us do more often than we would care to admit, don’t you think? But I love the sandwich you finally came up with! Who wouldn’t (bacon and cheddar cheese? Please!)? Great story, great sandwich!
Thanks sweetie…if you had seen me and my kitchen at the end…both bedraggled to the max. Had to crawl into bed to type up the post even. But had my little slice of heaven with me so it was all good.
A mouthwatering sandwich! That combination is just perfect.
Cheers,
Rosa
Might be a last minute decision, but it sure looks good! Great job!
Thanks so much…and after all the drama the best part is it was…wait, having for dinner again tonight…is good!
What a great idea! As always, it’s so great to have you in the recipe swap and I always look forward to your creations. This one is perfect for a quick lunch at home. And, anything sauteed in bacon fat is a win, of course!
You are too kind and I feel I failed you in my hurriedly put together everything but maybe in there really is the story of managing despite pitfalls huh?
You are the queen of recipe modification! This sandwich looks great. Oh and Baker for your new last name….love it!
This will be like the advance notice of domain name change huh…I’ll say it enough I’ll have to do it. Barbara Anne Baker. I just like it.
Looks good to me, and I promise not to even THINK of calling you Sandra Lee. XO
Thank you very much. I am almost done with the horror of even considering. 🙂
How perfect that you have a bit of a family history with this recipe. You did an awesome job thinking on your feet when you had to change your plans!
Anything on a sandwich is a winner in my book and I love the idea of sort-of-crunchy cabbage and wonderful bacon flavor on fresh bread!
I am chuckling just a bit cause I’m actually thinking on my foot…one bum leg from a break last year and me ‘hurrying’ to get something done is almost laughable. But thank you..seems a life necessity now to be able to manage change on a dime. I’ve had LOTS of practice!