By Request

BETTY SHIMABUKURO

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Inside-out grilled cheese
a sandwich staple at diner

The secret to the appeal of this sandwich is not on the inside, it's on the outside.

The Gardenpatch Sandwich served at Ruby's Diner on Maui is a veggie affair with spinach, cucumber, olives and sprouts. Not too exciting, frankly. What makes it sing is the bread crusted with parmesan cheese used to sandwich that filling.

"The grilled sourdough Parmesan bread is to die for -- it's like a grilled cheese sandwich, but the cheese is on the outside," wrote e-mail correspondent Kathy. "Wonder how they do that?

The sandwich is a menu staple of the nationwide Ruby's chain. The bread is sourdough spread with margarine, then coated in cheese. After it sits overnight -- this step is critical to making sure the cheese stays stuck to the bread -- it hits the grill.

Ruby's only Hawaii outlet is in the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center in Kahului. Chain founder Doug Cavanaugh is a part-time resident of Hana.

For those who don't make it to Maui often, keep the chain in mind on your next visit to Las Vegas. There's a Ruby's in the Vegas airport.

Garden Patch Sandwich

2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 hard-boiled egg, sliced
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1 slice tomato
1/4 ounce alfalfa sprouts
6 slices cucumber (1/4-inch thick), skinned
4 large spinach leaves
>> Parmesan sourdough bread
2 1/2-inch-thick slices sourdough bread
3 tablespoons margarine
1 ounce shredded Parmesan cheese

To make bread: Coat one side of each bread slice with margarine, all the way to the edges. Spread cheese evenly on a sheet pan. Place the coated side of each slice into the cheese, pressing lightly so the cheese sticks evenly to the bread. Stack slices with coated sides together on a plate. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

To assemble sandwich: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat (add a little butter or margarine if desired). Place bread slices in skillet, coated side down, and grill until golden brown. Remove from heat.

Spread ungrilled sides of bread with mayonnaise. Layer one slice with the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Top with second slice (grilled sides of bread go on the outside of the sandwich). Serves 1.

Approximate nutritional analysis, without adding butter to the skillet: 830 calories, 72 g fat, 17 g saturated fat, 250 mg cholesterol, 1,500 mg sodium, 33 g carbohydrate, 23 g protein.*

Food Stuffs: Morsels

Send queries along with name and phone number to:
"By Request," Honolulu Star-Bulletin,
500 Ala Moana, No. 7-210, Honolulu 96813.
Or send e-mail to bshimabukuro@starbulletin.com

Asterisk (*) after nutritional analyses in the Body & Soul section indicates calculations by Joannie Dobbs of Exploring New Concepts, a nutritional consulting firm.