Grilled Cheese and Pulled Short Ribs Sandwich

Shae's Note:

If you are a grilled sandwich fan and you are a meat lover, this will not disappoint! This recipe inspires me to make short ribs more often just so I can have the left over meat for this delicious grilled sandwich. I first saw the original version of this sandwich on Oprah when chef Govind Armstrong, of the restaurant Table 8, made this for Oprah on her show. Oprah's friend Gayle flew 2,000 miles to California just to try this sandwich that she had heard about. I look forward to trying the original version some day, but for the meanwhile, here is the version that we enjoy at our house.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 loaf sourdough bread or 1 loaf Italian bread , sliced into medium-thick slices
• 1 lb approx. bel paese cheese , sliced (may substitute mozzarella or provolone)
• 1 ½-2 lbs precooked well-seasoned pulled beef short ribs
• 1 cup barbecue sauce (optional) or 1 cup Italian dressing (optional)
• 1 large sweet onion , halved and sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter , plus softened butter to spread
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:

1. Melt about 1 tbs of the butter and 1 tbs of olive oil in skillet. Cook sliced onions until golden brown and starting to caramelize. Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, warm your pulled short rib meat just enough to take the chill off of it if you have been storing it the fridge. Toss pulled short rib meat in just enough BBQ sauce or Italian dressing to give it a light coat. You don't want it to be dripping with wetness and overpower the flavors that are already there. This step is optional for those who wish to enhance the flavor of the meat, if desired.
3. With skillet at a medium-low heat, or panini maker ready to go, place sliced bread, butter side down, and then begin to build your sandwich by placing sliced cheese, caramelized onions, a generous portion of pulled short ribs, sliced cheese again if desired, and finally top it with another slice of bread, buttered side up this time.
4. If using a skillet you might want to use a press on your sandwich. Cook sandwich to desired shade of golden brown on each side; 3 to 4 minutes per side using skillet, about 4 minutes on panini maker (depending on your heat settings and/or panini maker).
5. Place completed sandwiches in a warm oven on a stone or pan to keep warm while cooking other sandwiches.

Reviews

[Boo430]

This sandwich is amazing. The recipe for the short ribs looks intimidating, but it really is easy and it is my family's favorite thing to eat.