I never thought this would be a subject that comes up on Felt Like a Foodie but it is time. It is time to lay it on the table for the world (or the folks who read this post) to hear. I am a Cubs fan.
I’m not a bandwagon fan…I’ve been a fan since I can remember. Baseball was just one of those things that I enjoyed watching on television when my dad or my grandpa were around. The games were enjoyable to watch. (As a kid, I thought it was funny that the guys grabbed their “bats” and spit so much.)
Now to clarify, I am by no means a baseball expert. I know the basic terms like innings, hits, runs and errors. I get which direction the bases should be run. I recognize outs and bad calls. I understand the importance of bunting, double plays and designated hitters.
When Hubby and I started dating, watching a Cubs game was another thing we could do on a date night. (Before he tried to start stealing my bases!) We both loved the team no matter what their failures or successes.
Our Cubbies have had a stellar year. The team has seemed more together and I’m not just talking about their playing. I am talking about being a team. They seem to be playing not for themselves but for each other. This is what makes the Chicago Cubs so special.
The next couple of weeks are going to be amazing. I will cry when they win and I will cry if they lose. I will be proud of them because this is what it means to be a Chicago Cubs fan.
Today’s recipe is going to be my Cub’s “Fan”dwich. Thank you to my Facebook friends who all gave me their input. It came together and was a winning combination because WE made sure each ingredient meant something….
Italian Bread and Italian Sausage as homage to coach (Joe Maddon), shallot jam because (like I said earlier), the Cubs have made me happy to the point of tears, Apple Slaw to represent fall and making it to the post season and goat cheese because it is time to break the curse!
So as the race for the National League Pennant starts this weekend, I only have one thing going through my mind…. Go Cubs Go!
Cubs “FAN”dwich
Ingredients for the slaw
Bowl of water with juice of ½ a lemon
2 Granny Smith Apples
½ a bulb of fennel (matchstick cut)
*Save about 1 Tablespoon of the fennel fronds, chop them up. (You will use these later.)
4 cups of shredded green cabbage
2 green onions, slivered
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp dry mustard (Do something with a little kick like Colemans)
1 Tbsp Olive oil
Slaw Directions
Using a mandolin (or wicked knife skills) cut thin slices off of the apple and then cut them into matchsticks. Place the apple immediately in the bowl of lemon water. Set aside.
Meanwhile, mix the shredded cabbage, fennel and green onions into a large bowl. Drain the apples and add to this big bowl. Mix everything together.
Mix cider vinegar, sugar, mustard and half the olive oil. (I shook the heck out of it in a jar until it emulsified.) Add remaining olive oil and shake it up so much. (I found if you sing “Take me out the ball game” while shaking, you should be all set.)
Drizzle about half of this dressing onto the apple/cabbage mixture. Mix. Gradually add the rest and mix.
Ingredients for Cubs “Fan”dwich
Italian bread
1 pound of ground Italian sausage shaped into 4 long, patties. (Shape it like your bread.)
Shallot Jam
4 Tbsp Goat cheese mixed with the reserved fennel fronds.*(See I told you that you’d use them.)
Directions
Turn the oven broiler onto low.
Cut your bread lengthwise into desired size. (Do you want 4 inches or do you like 8, 9 or 10 inches? Whatever floats your boat. Just make sure you adjust the bread so it can accommodate the sausage.)
Over medium heat (or on your grill), fully cook your patties. (Mine took about 4 minutes per side. Judge for yourself since there is no exact patty size.)
Under the broiler, lightly toast the cut side of the bread.
Take the piece that is the top and set it aside. On the bottom piece, spread the goat cheese. Put these bottom pieces back under the broiler until the cheese softens up and gets a little toasty. (It took 2-3 minutes.)
Place one patty on each piece of bread. Top with apple slaw. On the top half of the bread that you set aside, smear some shallot jam. And put this piece on top…like a sandwich. (I thought that was self-explanatory but let me know if you need more clarification on that.)
ENJOY as you watch your favorite team play this next week!
