This trip, Guy Fieri's headed back to some faves for a funky, festive feast! First, just southwest of Indianapolis, the Cajun cuisine is still killer at this joint, plating a spiced-up shrimp sauté and mind-blowing blackened steak. Then, a breakfast-and-lunch spot in Boston is still slingin' serious sammies like a not-your-everyday eggwich and a righteous roast beef panini pressed to perfection. And a family-run eatery in upstate New York is going strong, dishing out an over-the-top turkey Reuben, plus the-bomb Buffalo chicken wing spin on soup.
Michael liberates the tired (of cafeteria food), poor (from expensive lunches) and hungry masses with a brown baggin' party where everyone gets together to make lunch. Plus, special tips on transporting these delectable dishes and keeping them fresh!
Gameplan
1 Day Before the Lunch Party:
Toast Barley for Roasted Barley Salad. Simmer barley in chicken stock.
Core and chop tomatoes for Roasted Tomato Soup. Roast chopped tomatoes with garlic, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Mince and sauté onions, basil, and roasted tomatoes for Roasted Tomato Soup.
Drain barley and set aside to cool.
Puree roasted tomato mixture to soup consistency and cover and refrigerate overnight until ready to serve.
Slice and roast zucchini for Frittata and Tomato Sandwich.
Blend egg mixture for Frittata Sandwich. Remove roasted zucchini from over, chop into large pieces and stir into egg mixture.
Cook frittata in a large skillet. Finish frittata by cooking under a broiler. Sprinkle with Provolone cheese. Set aside to cool. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Slice bread and line up on sheet pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toast bread slices in the oven. Cool and set aside.
Chop and cook smoked bacon for Roasted Barley Salad.
Chop zucchini, garlic, thyme and carrots for Roasted Barley Salad. Saute chopped vegetables in leftover bacon fact. Add apple cider vinegar to the pan to create dressing for salad.
Assemble Roasted Barley Salad with barley, bacon, and dressed vegetables.
Chop parsley and set aside for Roasted Barley Salad.
Morning of the Lunch Party:
Slice bread for Frittata and Tomato Sandwiches. Pack in paper bag.
Pack toasted bruschetta slices into paper bag.
Reheat Roasted Tomato Soup and pour into thermoses.
Slice tomatoes thickly for Frittata and Tomato Sandwich. Pack into small plastic container.
Pack salt and pepper and chili flakes.
Stir reserved parsley into Roasted Barley Salad. Pack up salad.
Slice Frittata and pack into container.
Pack basil leaves into small container.
At the Party:
Assemble Frittata and Tomato Sandwiches.
Serve Roasted Tomato Soup in mugs. Top with bruschetta slices.
Serve Roasted Barley Salad.
Eat and Enjoy!
In Miami, Fla., the Gypsy Kitchen truck is our first stop for some East Indian and Asian inspired treats, Maharani Paneer, Jammin Jerk Slider and a Krazy Kim's Khim-chee Lo Mein are just some of the delights. Next we get stuck in to gourmet food on a stick in Houston, Texas, at the appropriately named Stick It truck. Then we hit up Louisville, Ky., and visit the Lil Cheezers truck for all your grilled cheese pleasures, The Plain Jane, Caprese and the Fancy Pants which is Brie, caramelized onions, granny smith apples and walnuts on thick cut wheatberry bread. Finally, we speed over to Indianapolis for some of this and some of that at the SOT SOT truck. Specializing in Creole Comfort food we'll check out their Crawfish Po'Boy, Jambalaya and a Jerk Chicken with red beans and rice.
Food Network searched for the Ultimate Comfort Food recipe. After a nationwide recipe contest, nine finalists competed in three rounds: Chili, Mac and Cheese and Sandwiches. A panel of food experts determined whose comfort food dish was the best. See who walks away the winner of $25,000!
COMPETITORS: Chili
Peg SchaeferRecipe: Mexitana Ancho-Lamb Chili Hometown: Bozeman, Mo.
Ray Isacsson -- Winner!Recipe: Spanish Influenced Chili with Collard Wrapped Pork, Chorizo and Sweet and Smoky Paprikas Hometown: Danbury, Conn.
Anne TegtmeierRecipe: Ultimate Veggie Chili
Mac and Cheese
Autumn ClementsRecipe: Black and Tan Irish Mac and Cheddar Hometown: Amelia Island, Fla.
Brett Greenberg -- WinnerRecipe: French Onion "Soup" Mac and Cheese
Jenny FlakeRecipe: Pepita Crusted Cheddar Jack Southwest Chicken Mac Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
SandwichIvan Aviles -- COMFORT FOODS GRAND PRIZE WINNER!Recipe: Boricua Plantain Sandwich Hometown: Holtsville, N.Y.
Anna Georgantonis-KeahRecipe: Squash Sandwiches Hometown: Austin, Texas
Michael GilettoRecipe: Germany's Version of the "South Philly Cheese Steak with a Twist" Hometown: Mickleton, N.J.