LUCY BURDETTE: Are you familiar with the concept of "girl dinners" and ensuing controversy surrounding it? It began on TikTok, when creator Olivia Maher posted a casual spread of food and called it a "girl dinner." The trend caught on as a way of feeding yourself the way you might feed others, but with a menu that suits you, eating alone. Apparently there were a number of criticisms--the term was deemed infantilizing, it made a spectacle out of women eating, and it showed a lack of critical thinking. Really? I say bring that girl dinner on... Here's one of mine!
One night a couple of weeks ago John was having dinner with his golf friends, so I was released from my usual dinner duties. I saw this as an opportunity to make something that he wouldn’t be crazy about: a dripping, delicious, cheesy, messy, turkey Reuben. I served it with a plain green salad on the side so I could feel slightly healthy. (It could’ve been worse, I might have made it with pastrami!)
Ingredients for one sandwich
Smoked turkey, one thick or two thinner slices
Swiss cheese, two slices
Sauerkraut, 2 to 3 tablespoons depending how much you like it
Rye bread
Thousand island dressing, preferably homemade
Butter for frying
To make the dressing, combine one tablespoon mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon catchup, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of good pickle relish. Mix together. This is all very flexible so if you don’t like one of the ingredients, or want to replace the pickle relish with chili crisp, be my guest!
To make the sandwich: while you’re putting the parts together, melt a tablespoon of butter in the frying pan. apply the thousand island dressing to both insides of the sandwich. On the lower half, layer the Swiss cheese, turkey, and sauerkraut and cover with the other half. Carefully deposit the sandwich in the melted butter.
Fry for about five minutes until the underside is brown and then flip to brown the other.
Even with hubby home, I often made me a "girl's dinner". There are certain foods I like he doesn't and that he likes that I don't. Why deprive both of us? So I fix him what he likes and me what I like. Works out great and we both get to eat something we normally wouldn't fix.
ReplyDelete2clowns at arkansas dot net
sounds like a perfect arrangement!
DeleteLUCY: Yum! Reuben is one of my fave sandwiches. Thanks for showing how easy it is to make our own Thousand Island dressing.
ReplyDeletethanks Grace--and this way you can up the spice levels if you want (I did)
DeleteGirl or boy...oh, boy does this sandwich look appetizing...and it has no calories, of course:-) I will be making it for the boy and girl who live in this house!!! Thanks Roberta/Lucy for all the fin and deliciousness you share with us readers!!! Luis at ole dot travel
ReplyDeleteLuis, thank you for your enthusiasm!
DeleteWhy doesn't he do the "dinner duties" at times? i thought part of the whole controversy around it was the idea that it was the female partners responsibility to make the meal each night so this was supposed to be a treat when she didn't have. But why not let the male cook at times and both have what they want?
ReplyDeleteHe could, and he does while I'm away! But I'm the one who usually cares the most about what to eat:)
DeleteI love the idea of girl dinners! This sandwich looks perfect for a cold Winter evening. aprilbluetx at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteMe too April!
DeleteI grew up in New York and think of corned beef as the classic meat for a Reuben, but smoked turkey would be healthier because it's not a red meat, though I haven't found it necessarily less salty. Thanks for the recipe, Lucy!
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome MA!
DeleteA controversy over "girl's dinner"? People find the silliest things to get their knickers in a twist about.
ReplyDeleteThis looks excellent!
Thanks Libby--I think TikTok might bring out the worst in people:)
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ReplyDeleteThe fuss reminds me a bit of the "real men don't eat quiche" confusion . . . of course they do, if they want. There's nothing wrong with a "please yourself" dinner, and no need to "gender" it. ;-) Meanwhile, I'll have Valenti's make me a Reuben next time I want one . . . They've promised to do so. <3
-- storyteller Mary
I know it all gets a little silly:)
DeleteMy favorite local cafe makes a delicious turkey "Reuben" they call a "Rhonda"!
ReplyDeleteReuben and Rhonda, love it!
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