Usually when a couple has a 10 year anniversary, they go to…oh, maybe Mexico, Costa Rica, Hawaii… Me and The Beard Man?? Well, we go to Salem, Massachusetts. Yep, that was my choice, and I HAD a choice! But, seriously…isn’t the Salem Witch Trials one of the most fascinating stories from history? I’m a little sick and twisted and have always longed to see the site of this absolute madness. So, off we went…no kids…one week…it was great.
Here’s Dan (have I ever told you his name is Dan??) at the Salem Cemetery. Somber face and all. As much as I wanted to be in the cemetery picture, I couldn’t do it…too pregnant, too ugly, and too vain. Well, also…the only person around to take our picture was a transvestite, talking to himself, while shooting up next to a head stone. No thanks.
Truth be told, Salem was kinda…well, I don’t want to offend…the people were nice. But, I was disappointed in the “witch trial” stuff. Everything was so hokey and glamorized…pretty corny. I guess I was hoping for some real historical, government sponsored stuff. But, we couldn’t find much. I mean, it would be a totally sweet place if I was a Satan worshiper and needed to outfit my house with some devil decor, goat blood, and mystical herbs. But, alas…I came home empty handed.
Luckily, Salem is near lots of other amazing places…we went to Boston (stayed at a B&B in Marblehead) and drove through several states up to Maine! Anyway, we ate at lots of cutie-patootie places along the way and our favorite was this little deli in Rockport where The Beard Man was introduced to his favorite sandwich, the Rachel. So, we thought surely someone that worked there had the name Rachel and invented this sandwich…but, no. Apparently, I’m clueless because Rachel is Reuben’s cousin. You know the Reuben sandwich (with corned beef and sauerkraut)?? Well, the Rachel has pastrami and coleslaw.
It was pretty easy to recreate and Dan has signed up for another 10 years of marriage.
First, whip up some coleslaw. It’s easy and takes just a few minutes. Don’t be scared. You need a bag of shredded cabbage (the kind with carrots in it), mayo, dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, onion (or not, if you’re me), and celery seed.
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup mayo, 2 TBS dijon mustard, 2 TBS apple cider vinegar, 2 TBS sugar, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 TBS chopped (or dry) onion (I leave out the onion), and 3 1/2 tsp. celery seed. Stir it up.
Dump in your bag of shredded cabbage (sometimes labeled as “coleslaw”) and mix together. Chill to let the flavors combine.
For your sandwich, you need rye bread, your prepared coleslaw, pastrami and cheese (we like havarti).
Butter one side of your bread slices…
Place it, butter down in a hot pan next to your pastrami…you want them both nice an hot.
Go ahead and plop your pastrami on top of the toasting bread, add some cheese on top and then place your other bread slice in the pan to heat up.
After both breads are toasted and the cheese is melted-ish…scoop some coleslaw on the melted cheese. Top with other slice, done!
I’ve always been afraid of coleslaw…but, after being pressured to take a bite of this sandwich…I’m a fan now! Even the kids were asking for their own sandwich, love that. (If you’re feeling spunky, toss on some pepperoncinis…)
We went to Boston about a year ago and debated going to Salem, and we are going back to Boston in May and I wanted to go to Salem, but maybe I won’t. I was hoping for some cool historic stuff too. Thanks for the tip.
Yummmers!!
little fact about pepperoncini’s: Papa Murphy’s buys most of the pepperoncini’s, so they’re hard to find at the grocery store!!!
oops, papa John’s. 🙂
That sounds like an awesome place to go visit! Dan!! His identity has been revealed! 🙂