Wild Card Wednesdays

It’s amazing how having a recurring theme on our meal plans can be both inspiring and at time confusing. Take the fact that Tequila Day happened to fall on a Monday this year. Naturally we had something Mexican to go with the Tequila instead of something Mexican on Tijuana Tuesday. With me so far?

So on Tuesday we had something that was in no way was connected to the usual “theme” of the day. As I puttered in the kitchen, I realized our sprinklers hadn’t run. We are allowed to water the lawn 3 days a week, based on our street address. No one waters on Monday. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays those with even street addresses are allowed to water. Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays us odd-balls can water. When you are experiencing record heat, it’s important for the plants to be watered. Due to a power outage earlier, the timers for the sprinklers had to be reset. The pain of modern conveniences I guess. Anyway, when I realized the sprinklers hadn’t run, I got upset. Damn sprinklers. It’s Wednesday – why aren’t you running? And how did I know it was Wednesday? Because we ate Mexican the night before. Except the night before wasn’t Tuesday – it was Monday. My whole routine was now off by a day. It’s confusing for those of us who are retired to keep track of the days of the week like we use to.

Thank goodness things are back to normal. Wednesdays are watering days and wild cards when it comes to our menu plan. It’s whatever the day may bring. Maybe we are headed to the community pool before supper. Maybe we’ve got a movie recorded and we’ll plop down on the sofa, eating from trays. Wednesdays are open.

Today also happens to be National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. In our house, that means grabbing an ice cream sandwich from the freezer and indulging just a little. No recipe needed. There is something about summer’s heat that keeps our meals rather informal. There are times when I’ll run the dishwasher that is packed full of plates and glasses, but no flatware. It’s been a hot dog and hamburger kind of week. Then there are times when it’s a nice mix of sit-down and have a conversation meals and those enjoyed on the back patio after the sun goes down.

This is one of those quiet, relax in the yard suppers. Perfect for a Wild Card Wednesday.

Sourdough Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwiches
6 tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
1-1/2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese (green can)
6 slices Swiss Cheese
12 oz Deli Ham
Butter as needed

In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, garlic powder and Parmesan Cheese. Set aside until ready to use.

Lay sourdough bread out on a flat work surface. Top 3 slices of bread with a slice of cheese. Spread about a tablespoon of the mayonnaise mixture on the remaining 3 slices of bread.

Divide sliced ham, top each slice of cheese with the ham. Top ham with another slice of cheese. Close sandwiches with remaining sourdough bread, mayonnaise side up.

War a griddle pan to medium heat. Melt a little butter on the griddle. Place sandwiches on the warm griddle, mayo side down. Brush top side with remaining mayonnaise mixture. Grill sandwiches until golden and the bottom layer of cheese has begun to melt.

Flip sandwiches over, continue to grill until golden and the cheese in gooey.

Remove from griddle, slice as desired and serve immediately. These sandwiches are great with curly fries on the side.

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Air Fryer Curly Fries
Cooking Spray as needed
1 (12 oz) bag frozen Curly Fries
Salt to taste

Spray basket of air fryer with cooking spray. Place basket in the fryer. Select AIR FRY, 400-DEGREES, 15 MINUTES. Press Start.

After 5 minutes, pause timer and remove heated basket from fryer. Spread frozen curly fries out in the basket. It’s okay if fries are overlapping, but try for a single layer as much as possible. Spray with cooking spray.

Return basket to fryer, air fry for 5 minutes. Pause, shake basket, then continue to fry for another 5 minutes. Empty fries on a platter, season with salt and enjoy

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Holy is the Lord, our God