The Hobbit's Famous French Sandwich

A few years ago, I was fortunate to first have this "sandwich" at a company event and experience  The Hobbit Restaurant in Orange County, California.

ACT I Begins in the wine cellar

All guests are invited into the wine cellar to begin the evening. You are handed the evening’s menu and a flute of Hobbit Champagne, which is truly amazing. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres are placed throughout the cellar for you to enjoy while selecting your wine for dinner. (This is where I ever so enjoyed their French Sandwich)

ACT II Guests are invited upstairs to their own table.

Act II includes a shellfish or fish course, followed by a fowl or light meat, and then a salad course. You are then invited to enjoy “intermission” – take a walk, relax on the patios or visit the kitchen to speak with the chefs (Of course, I loved visiting the chefs in their kitchen, while they prepared dinners).

ACT III A return to the table

Ten to fifteen minutes later you are invited to return to your reset table for Act III. A flavorful sorbet is next as a palate-cleanser. The main entrée is served complete with accompanying vegetables. Dessert arrives next, always available with an after dinner list of coffee drinks, liqueurs and fine cognacs.

I had been wanting to recreate this for years, but was just too intimidated.  I am so glad I did because it brought back wonderful memories of The Hobbit experience and was actually very easy to make.

Before our fall frost hit, I made this for lunch and we enjoyed it out on our patio one sunny weekend. This sandwich makes a wonderful lunch for guests or equally great to cut it up in small diamond shapes and serve as an appetizer for your upcoming holiday events.

The Hobbit's Famous French Sandwich

Adapted from The Hobbit Restaurant

1 package puff pastry dough (Pepperidge Farm)

Dijon Mustard

1/2 lb., Monterrey Jack shredded cheese (or Swiss cheese)

4 ounces, deli Salami or Ham slices

(1) egg

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Thaw pastry by leaving it out at room temperature for about 20 minutes.

Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out thawed puff pastry sheet.
Spread mustard over pastry, leaving about 1/2" border around edges.

Add ham or salami slices on top of the mustard.

Cover with shredded monterey jack or swiss cheese.

Cover with second sheet of pastry and seal the edges.
Brush with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 Tbl. water)
Score top of pastry lightly with a sharp knife, careful not to
pierce the to layer.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes,
or until golden brown.
Once baked, serve warm.

Honey Ham Biscuit Sliders - Wife Of The Year

This morning I won the "Wife of the Year" Award.  Well, actually it was self-awarded, but I'm sure many would agree with me.

Today was the first golf tournament of the season - yeah !!!!  I get my mornings back to myself again...pajamas, coffee time, food episodes, reading magazines, blogging, manicure, pedicure...ah, the life of a golf widow.

However, the weather was 30 degrees with a chance of rain and snow.  Tournament still on, husband bundled up and ready to go.  Tee time set for 9:20 am.  However he realizes that he never had a chance to buy his "winter" golf gloves before the tournament.  Slight issue...sports stores don't open until 9:00 am., and there is no way he will have time to drive out, purchase gloves and make his tee time, in time.

"Honey, will you please run out and buy the winter gloves for me and hand warmers and drop them off a the clubhouse before my starting time?"  This was all asked as I was in my pajamas, just put the recliner in "lounge position" and topped my coffee off with my own warmer.  I'm not going to say what went though my mind at that point (because he also reads this blog...)

The only saving grace he had was that I also needed to do the weekly dinner menu grocery shopping and needed to get out eventually...just wasn't planning on that early.

Needless to say, he made it through 13 holes,
and then this happened.

For those chilly tournament mornings, these are the best little breakfast sandwiches.

Honey Ham Biscuit Sliders
Courtesy of  plainchicken.com

1 can Grands Jr Butter Tasting Biscuits (10 count)
1/2 lb deli ham, shaved
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1/4 cup honey mustard dressing
1 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Tbsp honey
Preheat oven to 400.

Lightly spray a 9-inch pan with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Separate each biscuits into two layers.  Spread each layer with honey mustard and top with swiss cheese.  Place half of the biscuits, cheese side up, in the bottom of prepared pan.  Top with ham.  Top ham with remaining biscuits, cheese side down.  Brush biscuit tops with melted butter.

Bake 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.  Heat honey in microwave for 20 seconds.  Brush biscuit tops with warm honey.  Serve immediately.