GOLDEN MOUNTAIN SAUCE RECIPES

Steps:

• For the dressing: Combine the mayonnaise, chili sauce, sour cream, horseradish, lemon juice, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, dill pickles and shallots in a food processor until thoroughly mixed. Do not over blend, you still want to see some texture. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside or refrigerate in a covered jar until serving time.
• For the sandwich build: Combine half of the dressing with the sauerkraut and toss. Place 1 slice of cheese on a piece of bread. Pile the meat high on the cheese, top with an additional slice of cheese, some of the sauerkraut mixture and the second piece of bread. Butter the outsides of the sandwich. Heat a heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet or griddle pan over medium-low heat. Add the sandwiches, cover with a heatproof bowl and griddle until golden and gooey in the middle, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip, cover and let cook until golden all around, another 3 minutes. Serve the extra dressing on the side.
• Cook's Note: I love getting a whole piece of pastrami, uncut, from Fumare's in Chicago. If you have a favorite deli, try getting a whole piece and cutting it yourself; the meat will stay nice and tender and you can mix the bark from the end cut with the meatier middle. You'll fall in love with pastrami all over again.

Steps:

• Split the tough skin-like muscle that surrounds each "oyster" (use a sharp knife). You can also remove the skin easily if the meat is frozen and then peeled while thawing.
• Soak in a pan of salt water one hour; drain.
• Transfer to a large pot and add enough water to float the meat.
• Add the vinegar to the pot.
• Parboil, drain and rinse.
• Let cool and slice each oyster into 1/4 inch thick ovals.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of sliced oyster to taste.
• Combine flour, cornmeal and some garlic powder to taste.
• Roll each slice into flour mixture.
• Dip into milk.
• Roll again into flour mixture.
• Dip into wine.
• (repeat the procedure for a thicker crust).
• Fry in hot oil or fat seasoned with the bottled hot sauce to taste (be careful, it will sizzle when you add the hot sauce); fry until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve with cocktail sauce if desired.