oh, baloney!

When we lived in Indiana, I heard friends of mine rave on more than one occasion about the deliciousness of fried baloney. I was skeptical, and let's not mention a little disgusted. So I was surprised when, the other day as I was thumbing through my Home Cookin' with Dave's Mom cookbook, feeling rather homesick for Hoosiers, I came across Dorothy Letterman's recipe for David's Fried Baloney Sandwich and found myself itching to try one. (I know, weird, huh.) In an effort to tame the tickle, I bought a package of baloney during my weekly grocery shopping trip and, today for lunch, made Garrett and I both one of Dave's favorite sandwiches. And, quelle surprise, it was tasty. And so here I'll divulge the recipe to you.

David's Fried Baloney Sandwich
[Dorothy's note: "One evening I got a call from David when he was still doing his show at NBC and he asked me on the air how to make this sandwich. It had always been just about his favorite lunch, but I didn't know how fondly he remembered it until he called me that night."]

2 slices bread
2 slices baloney
2 slices fresh tomato
mustard (hot dog variety)

In a small nonstick skillet, heat the baloney slices (do not overcook). Make 1 cut from center to edge of baloney slice so it doesn't cup. Spread 1 slice of bread with mustard [or 2 slices, if you're like me and love mustard]. Put on the baloney and tomato slices. Top with the other slice of bread. Enjoy! Makes 1 sandwich.

There's another baloney recipe in the cookbook that I just might have to try. It's called Baloney Breakfast, and is basically just a piece of baloney heated in a skilled until it cups, and then served with scrambled eggs inside. A little strange, yes, but I'm intrigued just the same.

Anyway, so go fry up some baloney and feel as famous as David Letterman.