Well, it's been a while since I've shared a favorite recipe from
The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond. Last year, I wrote about one of our favorites, the
Comfort Meatballs. This dish continues to be the most requested by my son. However, PW's Marlboro Man Sandwiches have inched their way up in rank as well.
Here's what you need to make my adaptation: onion, butter, cube steak, seasoned salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, and deli rolls (not pictured)
Here's how you make them: Melt 1/4 stick butter in a skillet.
Slice a whole onion and add it to the skillet with melted butter.
Cook until soft, about five minutes. Remove the onions and set aside.
Take the cube steaks and cut into 1/2 inch strips against the grain of the meat.
Generously salt and pepper the meat.
Add 2 more tablespoons of butter to the pan, turning the heat to medium high and add enough meat to make a single layer. Let it cook for a minute or two, then flip the meat over and cook for another minute. Remove to a plate and continue cooking the rest of the meat.
Add the plated meat and onions back into the pan, pour in the Worcestershire sauce and a couple of dashes of Tabasco to taste.
The Pioneer Woman adds in a couple more tablespoons of butter and then simmers this over low heat for about 5 minutes. Spoon some of the mixture and juices onto a toasted, split deli roll. These are great served alongside a simple green salad.
PW's Marlboro Man Sandwiches
1 large onion
3/4 stick butter
4-6 cube steaks
Seasoned Salt
Black Pepper
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce
deli rolls 4-6
Start by slicing the onion. Melt 1/4 stick of butter in large skillet and add in the onion. Cook for about 5 minutes, until soft and light brown. Remove from pan and set aside. While the onion is cooking, slice each cube steak against the grain into 1/2 inch strips. Generously sprinkle with seasoned salt and pepper. Add 2 Tablespoons of butter to skillet and turn up the heat. Add enough meat to make a single layer and cook for 1 to 2 minutes without stirring. Flip with a spatula and cook the other side for another minute. Remove to a plate and continue with the rest of the meat. Return all the meat and onions to the skillet. Pour in the Worcestershire sauce and a few dashes of Tabasco (according to your tastes). Also add in another 2 Tablespoons of butter. Simmer over low heat for a few minutes to warm through. Cut each roll in half (toast if you want) and spoon some of the meat mixture and juices over one half and top with the other.
Funny story about the first time I made these. My SIL, Donna, had seen them on PW's website and made them for her family. She raved about them so much I thought I should give them a try too. I had her cookbook and followed her instructions to the letter, except maybe a few less onions. Well, as I was cooking up the meat and adding in the spices, suddenly things took a very wrong turn. It didn't smell right, but I knew that they had to taste good, because Donna has never steered me wrong. I tasted the meat and noticed it had a certain "twang" to it, but served them up to my family anyway hoping for the best. They were already leery because of the offensive odor in the kitchen. Needless to say, this dish was not even edible. I have been teased mercilessly over this epic failure.
Turns out, the website version of the recipe and the cookbook are slightly different. The website recipe does not include lemon pepper. More specifically, it does not include
rancid lemon pepper. I had made the dish with really old lemon pepper that must have reacted in a very negative way with the Worcestershire sauce. I had to work up the courage to try this recipe again, but I have never added in lemon pepper again. My family forgave me and they happily eat the Marlboro Man Sandwiches every time I make them now. However, before they take their first bite, they always ask, "Did you put rancid lemon pepper in them this time?" Which reminds me... it's probably time to go through the spice cabinet soon and do a little maintenance. Do you have any recipe horror stories? Please tell me I am not the only one? Please?
