Food: Know Your Onions For Couch Potatoes

Sep 30 2007 Michael Kilkie Chef/Proprietor Of The Jefferson Restaurant In Kilmarnock

The sport season really is in full swing now and the telly is crammed full of football, racing and rugby.

It got me thinking about tasty things to eat in front of the TV while watching the sport with a nice cold beer.

I'm sure you will enjoy this recipe - especially the boys in the family.

A well-made steak sandwich is one of my favourite things.

There are plenty of ways to do them but today's recipe is an open sandwich - one slice of bread with the toppings piled high. You can try to tackle it with your hands or get stuck in with a knife and fork.

You could put another piece of bread on the top to close the sandwich over to make it more traditional. Use your favourite bread whether it be a baguette or something more fancy such as ciabatta or focaccia.

There are so many delicious varieties, especially with good quality delis and bakeries popping up everywhere.

Choosing your steak for the sandwich depends on what you want to pay.

There are cuts of meat that will not be suitable, such as stewing steak which requires long slow cooking. You can buy packs of ready-cut thin strips of frying steak or minute steak or you can buy ribeye, sirloin or, for the ultimate in sandwich indulgence, fillet.

Cheaper frying steaks will work well too because marinading for a few hours tenderises the meat.

I love cream cheese on the base of my sandwich and I beat garlic and black pepper into it before spreading on the bread.

You can buy flavoured cream cheeses such as garlic and herb or reduced fat for the health conscious.

Sauted onions are a must - they remind me of getting a burger at the football with loads of fried onions - and rocket's peppery taste adds a bit of heat to the sandwich.