Quick and Easy Beef Manhattan

Make a hearty open face sandwich for lunch or dinner in under 10 minutes.

In researching the origins, I found that this has very little to do with Manhattan and originated in Indiana in the '40's and is more and Indiana dish.  Regardless, it is still good.

I will do the breakdowns per serving and you can multiply it as needed

Ingredients:  

• 1/3 to 1/4 lb of roast beef
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of prepared mashed potatoes
• 1 jar prepared gravy (makes about 4 servings)
• 1-2 slices of bread

I started used instant mashed potatoes and made them according to the the instructions on the box.

I used sliced roast beef from the deli but leftover potroast works well also.  Put on a microwave safe plate and nuke on high for approx. 2 mins.

For the bread, use 1 to 2 slices per person as the base.  To toast or not to toast is a personal choice, I usually toast very lightly in the oven for a minute.

Open gravy and warm on medium heat on the stove.

Put 1 to 2 slices of bread or toast on a plate.

Put a large scoop of mashed potatoes on top.                         

Use a fork to put slices of roast beef on top of the bread or toast.

Ladle gravy over the top of the roast beef, then serve.

COUNTRY SAUSAGE GRAVY

This is an adaption of a receipe that my Mom used to make for Country Sausage Gravy that results in lump free gravy because the flour is coated on to the sausage and comes off slowly instead of all at once as the milk is poured in.

Ingredients

• 1 lb sausage
• 4 TBSP Butter or margarine (optional)
• 1/3 cup flour
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 tsp. pepper (optional if spicy sausage is used)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Cook sausage in skillet on medium heat, breaking up the sausages at they are cooking, then drain fat (my Mom used to just leave approx. 4 TBSP of fat in the pan and not add any butter or margarine)

Add butter or margarine and stir to coat sausage completely.

Sprinkle flour over sausage and stir well to coat all of the sausage. Cook butter, flour and sausage together for about 3 minutes.

Add milk

Add pepper and cheese.

Cook on medium heat until thickenened and cheese is melted (usually 5-8 mins).

Serve over your favorite biscuit, bread and/or potatoes.