Grey Cup Eats - Honey Dill Sauce vs. Lumberjack Sandwich

Full disclosure - I don't give a fuck about the Grey Cup. 

It's not that I don't like football or the CFL.  I remember listening to games on CFRA with my father back when I was a kid. I've been to Ottawa Rough Rider/Renegade/Redblacks games in the past and enjoyed myself at them. I appreciate the history of the Grey Cup and the skill of all its players and coaches. But Canada's version of The Big Game never resonated the same way as the American Superbowl does with me. I remember the Chicago Bears thrashing the New England Patriots in the first Superbowl I ever saw, but couldn't tell you who won the first Grey Cup game I watched or who played in it (I want to say Doug Flutie was involved). I've been to numerous Superbowl parties over the course of my life, but I've never been to or heard of anyone throwing one for the Grey Cup.  I do know that this year is a repeat of the 2019 contest, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers taking on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.  The recipes below represent the best food offerings from each team's respective cities. During the game, Winnipeggers will reach for their favourite honey dill sauce when looking for something to dip finger foods in, while Hamiltonians will have the home field advantage with the hearty grilled cheese sandwiches inspired by the hometown Gorilla Cheese food truck. No matter who you're rooting for, these dishes would be a great addition to any tailgate. As for the game itself? I'll probably check the score periodically while watching other things - those shows I've been planning to binge on aren't going to watch themselves.

Ingredients: Honey dill sauce

45 g mayonnaise
20 g honey
5 g chopped fresh dill
a squeeze of lemon

1. Mix the mayonnaise and honey together until completely combined. Add dill and lemon and mix again.
• For a sweeter sauce, use less mayo and add 2.5 mL of Worcestershire sauce; for a tangier sauce, use less honey, half as much dill, and add 2.5 g of mustard powder.
2. Place the sauce in the fridge for at least 15 minutes before serving for best results.

If you develop a taste for honey dill sauce, you need to find a jar of Greetalia, a provincial favourite.

 

Ingredients: Gorilla Cheese lumberjack sandwich

15 g salted butter, at room temperature
7.5 g mayonnaise
3 slices bacon, cooked
2 slices white bread
2 thick slices aged cheddar
several thin slices Granny Smith apple
pure maple syrup

1. In a medium bowl, mix the butter and the mayonnaise together until it is smooth and well-blended.
2. Spread on one side of each piece of bread with the butter/mayo mixture. Place the buttered sides of the bread face down on a cutting board, and top each slice with a slice of cheddar cheese largely to almost cover the bread.
3. On one slice of bread and cheese, arrange a single layer of apple slices. Top with the bacon and drizzle everything with maple syrup.
4. Heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the bread slices, separately, buttered sides down. Cook until they become golden, about 3 to 4 minutes. Form the bread into a sandwich, with the buttered sides facing out. Cook until golden on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Transfer the sandwich back to the cutting board, and let it stand for a minute before slicing.