【Soccer Viewing】A little luxurious taste and time made with a hot sandwich cooker

On the morning of the World Cup match for Japan, I made a "Pork Belly Cheese Sandwich" with the hot sandwich cooker. With this sweet and savory, melting cheese dish in one hand, my family enjoyed cheering for the Japanese national team.

A slightly luxurious hot sandwich for an easy breakfast on match day

The World Cup has begun, and the Japanese national team's battle has commenced. In this tournament, Japan is in Group F. The matches are scheduled for early morning Japan time due to time differences. In the opening match against the Netherlands, we kicked off at 5 AM and secured 1 point with a thrilling draw.

Japanese National Team Match Schedule (Group F・Japan Time)
6/21 13:00 Kick-off (Monterrey) Tunisia vs Japan
6/26 8:00 Kick-off (Dallas) Japan vs Sweden

By the way, during the early morning, not only Japan's matches but also many matches vying for the title of the best in the world have plenty of highlights, leading many people to rise early and settle in front of the TV.

On such a special morning, I brought out the Coleman hot sandwich cooker. Originally used for outdoor cooking, it has now become my stove companion at home. The breakfast prepared for this day was "braised pork cheese sandwich" cooked with this cooker.

The filling is braised pork bought from the supermarket

When I went to the supermarket the day before, this braised pork was on sale, and I thought it would make a great sandwich. With a taste that pairs well with rice just from the sauce, adding the richness of cheese would surely be perfect...

That prediction turned out to be spot on. In fact, I wondered "why hadn't I done this until now?" It became a slightly luxurious combination fitting for the morning of Japan's opening match.

Ingredients (for 1 serving)

・Bread (8 slices)……2 slices
・Braised pork belly……appropriate amount
・Sliced cheese……1 or 2 slices
・Mayonnaise……a little
・Chopped green onions……appropriate amount

※From my perspective, it’s fine to use store-bought braised pork or leftovers from the previous day. I initially didn't plan to include chopped green onions, but I thought to add them at the last minute, and they turned out to be an unexpectedly great match.

Since it's a hot sandwich, you can put in whatever you like

①Shred the warmed braised pork into small pieces

If left large, it will be difficult to eat, so break it up roughly with a fork or something similar.

②Place the ingredients on the bread

Spread mayonnaise on the bread, and layer with chashu → cheese → chopped green onions in that order.

③Sandwich

Place another slice of bread on top and put it in the hot sandwich maker.

④Grill

Cook on low to medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Once the surface turns a nice golden brown, it's done.

Can't call it a failure!? The overflowing aroma of braised pork sauce

From the moment it starts cooking, the sweet and savory scent of the sauce spreads throughout the kitchen. However, there was one failure here.

I got greedy and overstuffed the ingredients, and then took my eyes off the heat, causing the sauce that overflowed from the edges to get burnt.

The underside has gone from nicely browned to quite black. But I was not disappointed at all. The aroma of the crispy, burnt sauce adds charm that comes with making breakfast at home. It’s better to enjoy the atmosphere of the moment rather than achieving perfection... On a morning like that during Japan's match, don't mind. Next time I cook, I'll refrain from overstuffing the ingredients and keep the heat lower and gentler. Such reflections are also part of the joy of cooking for oneself.

When you cut into it, melted cheese oozes out from beneath the burnt surface. The rich flavor of the sweet and savory braised pork blends perfectly with the intense creaminess of the cheese. Chopped green onions add a fragrant touch, lightening the aftertaste. With just one bite, you forget about the burnt part, feeling completely victorious with three points from the morning. The drowsiness has vanished completely.

Watching soccer while munching on hot snacks in front of the TV.

I place a freshly baked sandwich on a plate and move to the front of the TV. While watching the players lined up on the pitch, I take a big bite of the hot sandwich. It's a simple breakfast, but it feels like a rich and fulfilling time.

The match on this day was also highly engaging. The first game for Moriyasu Japan, which aims for the championship, was against strong opponents, the Netherlands. In the first half, they struggled in a defensive battle, but managed to hold on thanks to several great saves by player Ayase Suzuki. Even when they fell behind twice in the second half, they stayed resilient, with a goal from player Keito Nakamura keeping them in the game, and in the end, Daichi Kamada scored a priceless equalizer with a header. With their strong determination to equalize twice, they secured a valuable point.

The family cheered for Nakamura's goal, and when they fell behind twice, they all sighed together. Then, during the dramatic equalizer at the last minute, they couldn't help but put down their sandwiches and look at each other. The sweet and savory aroma of braised pork lingered on their palms, along with that thrilling moment. Even on mornings when they usually spend time apart, on this day they gathered around the dining table and shared the ups and downs together. While the result of the match was certainly important, I feel that the very morning when the whole family held their breath together became an unforgettable memory that comes around once every four years.

A morning surrounded by family becomes a feast

The hot sandwich was surprisingly perfect for watching the game. There was nothing difficult about it. Just sandwich your favorite ingredients from the fridge and grill them until golden brown. Even if it spills out a bit or gets a little burnt, that adds to the fun time.

What matters most is not what you put inside, but who you spend the time with. For the remaining games, definitely try to grill a hot one. It will surely make your usual morning a little more special.

Product name / Hot Sandwich Cooker
Price / 4950 yen
Size when in use / Approximately 13.5×40×3.8 (h) cm
Weight / Approximately 550g
Material / Body: Aluminum, Handle: Steel, Wood
● Coleman

Interview and text / SYURI

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