Do you remember the sandwich maker?

[lwlynch]

Remember those little small, usually triangular, 4 wells, called the sandwich maker? I watch kids and then I also have my own kids. We use it all the time. Thought I might post a few recipes we make in them. They are very convient, you don't have to get out the grill or start an oven.
Of course you can do the simple things, the egg sandwich, and the grilled cheese sandwich. And if you a weird eater the grilled PBJ. HAHAHA

CORN DOGS
1 box of pack of corn bread mix.(mix as directed)
2 -3 hotdogs..I just use what I usually have left over.
Mix together.
Be sure to spray the maker with a non-stick spray and fill the wells. Wait until cooked through and brown.
Just hand size. For the smaller kids I cut them in half and they are so easy to handle and dip with.

PANCAKES WITH SAUSAGE
Pancake mix (mixed up)
cooked sausage
Mix together
Be sure to spray wells and then fill to edge.
Wait till brown and cooked.
Again just hand size for dipping.

These two also work well as left overs. I place them on a cookie sheet and freeze individual like and then when frozen I put in freezer bag where the kids can find them to nuke. Of course I keep them in fridge for a few days and usually they are all gone.

Well just like to share. I have a few good more kids friendly and adult friendly ideas I use in my busy house. With my family, kids and everyone else that comes over.

Enjoy

[Missy]

Sounds good. I don't have one but might look for one now that i have some ideas to use it for! Thanks!

[i.m.cheap]

I have something similar to the grill you described. It is called an Express Grill. Mine has two half circle (instead of the four triangle) shaped wells in it. It makes two "Hot Pocket" size sandwiches. I can also cook muffin batter or omelets in it. I think the corn dog recipe would be great, and I am going to try it! Thanks!

[i.m.cheap]

Here is a nice sandwich maker for $19.95 with free shipping (when you spend $25 or more):
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-WM-SW2-Sandwich-Grill/dp/B00006F2MD/sr=8-1/qid=1172261540/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8143049-7307251?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden"]Amazon.com: Cuisinart Sandwich Grill: Home & Garden[/ame]

[foxxyroxie]

I had one when they first came out, but realized that it spent more time in the cupboard than being used so I gave it away.

Anyone interested in one should try requesting one on freecycle . com. I'm sure someone might have one. I did find one at a local thrift store a couple of weeks ago... it was priced $2 or something like that but passed on it.

[sunshine]

Ham 'n Cheese Omelet

3 eggs, beaten
3 Tbsp. chopped ham
shredded cheddar cheese, about 1/4 cup
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat sandwich maker. Lightly mist wells with non-stick cooking
spray. Pour half of the eggs evenly into the hot, wells of the
machine, top with the ham and cheese, pour remaining eggs on top.
Close and cook for about 2 minutes or until done. Top with more cheese
if desired.


Pigs in a Blanket

pancake batter, prepared
link sausages, cooked

Preheat sandwich maker. Lightly mist wells with non-stick cooking
spray. Fill the wells halfway with pancake batter, add a sausage link
on top of batter and finish off with more batter. Close maker and cook
for 2 minutes or until done. Serve hot with a dusting of powdered
sugar or your favorite syrup.


Crispy Burritos

2 6-inch flour tortillas
Beef or pork, shredded and cooked
Refried beans, warmed
salsa
shredded cheese

Preheat sandwich maker. Lightly mist wells with non-stick cooking
spray. Place a tortilla in the sandwich maker, top with 1 Tbsp. each:
meat, beans, salsa, and cheese. Top with remaining tortilla. Close and
cook for about 3 minutes. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some
shredded lettuce.


Cherry Turnovers

1 can refrigerated crescent rolls
1 can cherry pie filling
Cinnamon sugar

Preheat sandwich maker. Lightly mist wells with non-stick cooking
spray. Divide rolls into 4 rectangles; take each rectangle and pinch
the perforation closed. Cut each rectangle in half, making 8 squares.
Place one square on each side of the sandwich maker. Top with 1 Tbsp.
pie filling, cover with another square of pastry. Sprinkle with
cinnamon sugar. Close maker and cook for 2-3 minutes.


Pumpkin Pockets

Pumpkin bread, sliced
marshmallow fluff
Nutella (hazelnut spread located with peanut butter at grocery)

Preheat sandwich maker. Lightly mist wells with non-stick cooking
spray. Spread the fluff and nutella on the pumpkin bread and top with
another slice of bread. Place sandwiches over cooking wells. Cook to
heat through, about 2 minutes. Serve with a dusting of powered sugar.

Sandwich Maker Carrot Cake

1/2 cup Grated carrot
1/4 cup Vegetable oil
1 Egg
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
1/3 tsp Baking soda
1/2 cup Self-rising flour
1/4 cup Oats -- regular or quick
2 tblsp Chopped walnuts-optional

Beat together carrot, oil, and egg. Add sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, flour, and oats; mix well.
Add walnuts. Spoon batter onto grids until full but not overflowing. Bake for approximately 5-7 minutes, checking
often for doneness.
Great for those times when you have a craving for cake but a full one would be too much
I love to make this for unexpected guests who drop in and let them think it took me forever to make.

http://www.thrifty-mom.com/sandwichmaker/

SANDWICH MAKER WON TON WONDERS

Won ton wrappers
Water
1 egg, beaten
1 lb. lean ground beef, browned & drained
1 sm. minced onion
1 can water chestnuts, drained & minced
Soy sauce
Mushrooms, chopped (optional)
Pepper
Salt
Garlic powder
Parve butter, optional
Chili or pizza sauce for dipping
Slightly moisten won ton wrappers with water. If your sandwich maker is made for 4 triangles, lay 2 wrappers on each side and fill with mixture of egg, beef, onion, water chestnuts, soy sauce, mushrooms (optional), pepper, salt and garlic powder. You can fill quite full but leave the center less full since this is where it will crease to form 2 wontons. The wontons will cook a long time.

PIZZA FOR SANDWICH MAKER




4 slices bread, buttered on 1 side
Pizza sauce in squeezable bottle (Hunt's)
8 slices pepperoni
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
Sandwich grill (any model)
Preheat sandwich maker grill. Put 2 slices bread in sandwich grill, buttered side down. Put 2 tablespoons of pizza sauce and 2 tablespoons of cheese on each slice of bread. Sprinkle with seasoning and top with pepperoni. Cover with remaining bread, buttered side up. Close grill.

Grill 2-3 minutes or until doneness is reached.

Makes 4 servings.

Banana Split Sandwich
4 slices of bread
1 banana
2 small chocolate bars

Place buttered bread on bottom of heating plates and place one chocolate bar on each half. Slice the banana in half and place on half on each piece of bread, cover with other slice of bread and cook 4-6 minutes

Chicken Fajitas (using sandwich maker)
Source: Vivian Thiele
Makes 12 pockets


1 lb Chicken Breast; boneless and skinless

Sauce
1/2 cup Soy Sauce
1 cup Orange Juice
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Sugar
2 Cloves Garlic; crushed
1/2 tsp Ginger
------------------
1 tbsp Oil
1 medium Onion; sliced
1 Green pepper; sliced
1 Red Pepper; sliced
12 Flour Tortillas (6-8 inch)

Cut chicken breasts into strips 1/4-inch thick. Combine all sauce ingredients and pour over chicken strips. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Drain meat well and stir fry in oil along with onion and peppers until all pink color is gone from chicken pieces and vegetables are crisp-tender.

Preheat sandwich maker. Trim sides from tortillas to form squares 5 X 5 or 6 X 6 inches. Brush outside of each with oil. Lay 4 tortillas on pocket grid oiled side down. Spoon chicken mixture into the triangle shaped pockets. Top with tortillas, oiled side up. Close lid and cook 3 minutes or until tortillas are heated through and sealed. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

HOBO HAMBURGERS (using sandwich maker)

2 tablespoons ground beef cooked and crumbled

Optional Ingredients:
1 slice cheddar cheese or 1-2Tbsp grated cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon cooked and crumbled bacon
1 tablespoon crumbled blue-cheese
1/2 teaspoon diced onion
1 Mushrooms thinly sliced, up
1 1/2 Tsp crushed pineapple
1 Pickle slices up to 2
Bread- whole wheat, cracked wheat, multi grain, white, or oatmeal

Spread choice of spread (mayonnaise, butter, ketchup, etc.) on inside of bread.

Fill sandwich with ground meat and your choice of remaining ingredients. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes and enjoy.

A great way to use up leftovers and very easy to accommodate those who have different tastes in burgers.

[lwlynch]

Good job, and to think we could do so much with such a little sandwich maker. I do almost all those, and I found a few I am going to try. The wonton one seems really cool. I will pass these on, I do a Blog for all my friends and people that I sit for, posting easy and quick things for their kids. Thanks again, I hope you don't mind that I share them with them.
I also just found a waffle stick maker for $2.00 and I have started making grilled cheese on them. The kids think they are so cool. Well thanks again for the recipes, I gotta get busy..

[Katybird]

Great recipes. Thanks ladies.

[lwlynch]

I guess by now, everyone knows I can't let something sit, food wise around and not be busy. I am constantly trying to create neat new foods.
Today, I took two cheese sticks and a can of refrigerator biscuits.
Squirted my sandwich maker. Cut the cheese in 5 little pieces and put in the middle of the flattened biscuit. Fold over like a little calizone. Put in sandwich maker.. It was really quick.
They made little cheese calazones, and the kids dipped them in sauce. They were just hot enough to melt it a bit. I think the next time I might put a more faster melting cheese, (motz).
You know these would be great as baby calizones.
Without even having to turn on the oven..
just wanted to share..
I will be blogging about it soon, with the whole bunch of nifty ways to cook in the sandwich maker.
Check it out when you get a minute.
Come hang out and get to know me.....

[Ceashels]

That's a great idea. I wonder if i could make them ahead of time and freeze them then just warm them in the oven for a party food?

[Katybird]

What a great idea. I use my sandwich maker all the time for grilled cheeses and pizza pockets but I would have never thought of using it for biscuits. Thanks for the great tip.

[Michelle]

Neat idea!

[lwlynch]

I do all kinds of stuff in sandwich maker.. i think I have another thread in here somewhere about some crazy..stuff.. check it out.. I can't find it...lol

I make cornbread, reg and halipeno
cup cakes (triangles)
corndogs
pigs in blankets
calazones
grilled cheese
apple pies
tortillas stuffed with stuff
pizza pockets
and other stuff.. just in case you couldn't find it.. i have such a small life...lol

[suebeehoney]

thanks for this tip! I'm going to have to try this - DS10 loves stuffed crust pizza, so this would be similar, but a smaller portion, which is perfect.

[TexasPeanut]

That is a great idea! I can see endless possibilities just using the biscuits with the sandwich maker. Ooooh what about trying some shredded bbq (pork or beef) inside the biscuits with just a touch of sauce. Little baby bbq bites.

I'm hungry can't you tell.