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The Grinder – A Robust Sandwich

Sandwich with cheese topping
 

The Grinder - A Robust Sandwich

The Grinder - a robust sandwich, incorporates ground chuck and Italian sausage with spices and marinara sauce. It is best made using a slow cooker.
Print Recipe
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 Approximate

Equipment

  • 1 Slow Cooker You could probably use a regular stove top, I have always used the slow cooker and the recipe is written for a long cook.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs Ground Chuck
  • 2 lbs Spicy Italian Sausage (I use the mild sausage)
  • 1 can Marinara sauce (Pizza sauce may also be used)
  • 1 LG Yellow Onion, finely chopped
  • 1-2 Cloves Garlic (Increase or decrease to your taste)
  • 1 TBSP Oregano
  • 1 TBSB Basil
  • 1 TBSP Red Pepper Flakes
  • ½ tsp Fennel
  • ½ tsp Rosemary
  • ½ tsp Thyme
  • 2 LBS Low-moisture Mozzarella Cheese
  • 1 Sm Jar Pickled and sliced Jalapeno Peppers
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 3 Loaves Italian or French Bread

Instructions
 

  • 1. Brown meat in batches, draining well.
    2. Place browned meat in slow cooker set on medium heat.
    3. Add marinara or pizza sauce and herbs.
    4. Brown chopped onion and garlic, add to meat mixture.
    5. Add a small amount of water, if necessary, so that the mixture can be stirred and flavors meld.
    6. Cook sauce for 8 hours, (up to 24 hours) until mixture is no longer runny and is quite dry and "clumpy".

To assemble and prepare sandwiches

  • 1. Preheat oven to 350° F
    2. Slice loaves in half lengthwise. (You can also cut into 6"-8" sections now.)
    3. Scoop some of the bread down the center of both sides of the split loaves, forming a pocket n the middle.
    4. Firmly press meat mixture in the bottom half of the loaf to about 1" to 1-1/2" deep.
    5. Top meat with sliced jalapenos.
    6. Top generously with sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese.
    7. Place scooped-out top loaf onto the loaded bottom loaf.
    8. Slice loaf into 6" - 8" sandwiches. (If you didn't do this in step 2).
    9. Wrap in foil.
    10. Repeat for all loaves.
    Note: At this point you can freeze the sandwiches. You don't need to thaw them before heating up in the oven, adjust your cooking time accordingly - maybe add 10 - 15 minutes in the oven.

To Serve

  • Heat foil-wrapped sandwiches for 25 minutes in a preheated 350° oven. Open foil for the last 5 minutes of heating if you prefer a crispy crust.

Optional

  • Add sauteed green, yellow or red peppers, or mushrooms.
  • Omit jalapenos if you don't like it spicy -- the red pepper flake in the meat already adds a little kick.

Notes

The Grinder is very easy to make in advance and freeze. 
Great for tail-gating events.
You could use other cheeses, I sometimes add a spicy cheese like Pepper Jack to my mozzarella cheese if I know the group I am serving likes really spicy foods. It would be to spicy for my taste, but have gotten rave reviews when adding it. 
Keyword robust, slow cook, spicy
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