Pulled Pork w/ Mac & Cheese

What better way to kick off the Super Bowl XLV weekend of gluttony than with some pulled pork and mac n' cheese for lunch, although I will admit, I only got a half order of lunch to minimize the punishment by body will take on Sunday.

For not having a smoker in the cafeteria, the guys downstairs did a pretty good on the pork, although it was a bit saucy.  I added a drizzle of hot sauce and ranch dressing for some additional layers of flavor.  The mac and cheese did not meet the expectations I had for it.  It looked great in the pan, almost homemade with a bread crumb topping.  When I was able to have a closer look prior to my first bite I realized it was nothing more than boxed macaroni and cheese made with that cheese slop embellished with a bread crumb topping.  Thumbs down for the mac and cheese, but for a $4 lunch I get too upset.

- Lunch Pail



The Joe Mentalino

Turkey and provolone can get pretty old quick when you bring it to work for lunch a few days a week, every week.  So today I made some moves and turned the ordinary turkey and cheese to a legit sandwich contender.

I brought in a half of a tomato that I had left over.  I didn't want to put it directly on the sandwich when I made it because after 4.5 hrs in the fridge it would get a little mushod.  Next, I went downstairs to the cafeteria and noticed they had roasted whole jalapenos.  I grabbed a couple of those along with some salt and pepper and a mayo packet knowing they would be a great addition.  Prior to recreating the sandwich, I disassembled it and toasted the bread.  Most sandwiches, especially those on sliced bread taste better toasted.  Finally I put the sandwich back together in the following order, because the proper layering of a sandwich is key.  Slice of toasted bread, hickory smoked turkey, provolone, sliced tomato, salt, roasted jalapeno, mayo, pepper, toast.

After two bites of the sandwich, I had an instant feeling in my stomach.  I immediately thought if this was how Joe Mentalino, the character in Dumb and Dumber with the stomach ulcer, felt after taking a bite of his burger.  That didn't stop me from finishing it though.  I battled through it, it was delicious.  So far, I have no regrets.

- Lunch Pail

Joe Mentalino on the left

The Joe Mentalino