The Perfect Sandwich Recipes

Steps:

• add yeast and a pinch of sugar (to feed the yeast) to warm water, let it sit 5-10 minutes until very foamy. water should be warm, but not hot, about 110 degrees.
• put proofed yeast into a large mixing bowl. add milk, honey, oil, and salt.
• add flour, start with 3 cups. mix with a sturdy spoon until smooth.
• add in more flour, one cup at a time until it gets to hard to stir.
• turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes adding more flour as needed. dough should be smooth, elastic and not too dry, but not sticking to your hands either.
• put dough in a greased bowl and turn it over to lightly grease it. cover the bowl with plastic wrap and a towel (you can use a damp paper towel and towel if you don't have plastic).
• sit it in a warm place (like on top of the fridge) for 1-1 1/2 hours until doubled in size.
• cut the dough in half as equal as you can. punch dough down, getting all the air out. form into a rectangle and roll up tight, tucking in the ends. it should look like a small loaf.
• place each loaf in a greased (I use shortening) loaf pan. cover again and let rise 45 minutes until about doubled in size.
• if you choose, brush with the egg for a nice glossy look (i prefer it).
• bake at 350 for 35 minutes on the middle rack (leave room, they will rise more in the oven!).
• the bread is done when it's golden and sounds hollow when you tap on it.
• remove immediately from the pans and cool on a cooling rack so the bottoms don't get soggy (check to make sure it's done by also tapping on the bottom-it should sound hollow also).
• cool at least 10 minutes before cutting.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F; line a sheet pan with foil.
• Slice the tomatoes and onion to about 1/4-1/6 of an inch thick.
• Wrap the garlic in foil and place on the sheet pan along with the onions and tomatoes.
• Drizzle the onions and tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place in the oven and roast for 1 hour.
• When done remove from the oven and unwrap the garlic, cut it in half and squeeze all the cloves out of it into a small bowl; stir in the butter.
• Take the ciabatta and cut them in halves.
• Evenly spread on the garlic butter mixture on both sides of the bread then begin to layer the bottom half with cheese, then pastrami, then beef, then onion, tomato, more cheese and then the top half of the bread.
• Wrap the sandwiches in foil and place on a clean sheet pan.
• Place another sheet place on top, and weight it down with a big iron skillet.
• Place in the 325°F oven and 15-20 minutes.
• These sandwiches are great to make ahead of time too!