Easy French Dip (Ah Jus Sauce)

I've been on the lookout for a while for a simple Ah Jus Sauce to make out own french dip sandwiches with.  You can always buy the flavor packets and pour those in, but I like to make my own things from scratch as much as possible. That way, I can make it whenever I want with the ingredients I have on hand. This one is a simple and quick version for those crazy nights where you want to just throw something together or those days that you want to just throw it in the crock pot and forget about it. . 

I put it in the crock pot on low most of the day, just to let the juices simmer and soak into the meat etc.  But you could really just throw it on the stove and warm it up for a few minutes. 

Easy French Dip (Ah Jus Sauce)

1 box beef broth

1 lb roast beef sliced/shaved thin

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Hoagie/Sub Rolls

Put first 4 ingredients into a crock pot on low for 4-8 hours. With a fork, place roast beef onto a sub roll.  Put reserved juice into individual bowls.  Dip sandwich into the juice. Enjoy

Meatball Sub

Another dish that my husband really likes is the Meatball Sub from Subway.  So I decided to copy cat a recipe and the mission was a success!  You know that feeling you get deep down when your kids gobble up the dinner you just made?  Especially with something they have never tried before?  I got that feeling with this dish.  My kids devoured it. 

You can use any type of hogie roll, french bread or even hot dog buns.  I got my meatballs from Costco. The Italian style but you could really get them anywhere or even make them.  I also like to cook the meatballs in the crock pot for at least 4 hours. This allows the sauce to marinate into the meatballs and really flavor them. You can however, just microwave them or heat them on the stove if you are having one of those last minute meal type of days.

Meatball Sub

6 Sub rolls

24 meatballs

1 jar of Spaghetti sauce (I use the original flavor)

6-12 slices of provolone cheese (depending on how cheesy you want it

1 can of olives chopped

10 peperoncini chopped

Parmesan cheese

In a small crock pot, cook meatballs and spaghetti sauce on low for 4-6 hours. Toast bread over a skillet then add sliced provolone cheese. Top with 4-5 meatballs and desired amount of sauce. Then add olives and sliced peperoncini. Top with Parmesan cheese. (you can also add sliced tomatoes as well.)

Reuben Sandwich

The Reuben is one of my husbands favorite sandwiches. We have this running joke, that instead of going to a restaurant to satisfy our usual cravings, we will just try to create a similar flavor/recipe and skip out on the restaurant prices. Especially when I am pregnant and crave the same things over and over... my dear husband will master the dish so that he can make it for me day or night.  This sandwhich is just such a recipe. I love when he says my food is "better than the restaurants!" It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

 I have never been a fan of sauerkraut so I usually make this as a kit.for his lunch at work. Let me tell ya, this one makes all the other guys on the job jealous! I put all of the ingredients in separate bags or containers so he can make it nice and fresh.

You can use the sliced corned beef from the deli, but its so much better with the shredded corned beef. I like to buy a few corned beef roasts and "can" them or you can freeze it already cooked, for faster preparation.  I like to "can" them in pint jars which ends up making enough for my husband to take to work. Stay tuned for "how to's" on canning meats. I'll give you all the details in future posts.

You'll want to remember to drain the sauerkraut so it doesnt get the bread too soggy. Also these ingredient ratios are how my hubby likes them, but really you can add or subtract however you want. You can also toast the bread or eat it plain.

Reuben Sandwich

2 slices of rye bread ( he likes a dark rye or marbled rye)

1 cup cooked and shredded corned beef

2 tablespoons of 1000 island dressing

about 1/2 cup sauerkraut

2 slices of swiss cheese

To toast the bread:  spread the outside of each slice with butter and grill on a skillet until golden brown.  Spread the inside of each slice with dressing and then add corned beef, sauerkraut and cheese. Enjoy!