I was in the passenger seat of a car when I saw the girl walk past us at the intersection. I let out a gasp.“Is she topless?” I asked my father who was doing the fatherly thing and picking me up from the airport. He is partially deaf so all I got back in response was “Whaaat?” while flapping a hand at me to stop talking. He was too busy trying to negotiate the roundabout whilst I was distracted by errant and unexpected cleavage.
The girl was wearing a bustier top and she was much bustier than the bustier top itself so it meant that she was inevitably spilling out of it. I stared at her open mouthed wanting to warn her that she had indeed fallen out of her top before realising that:
a) falling out of her top was probably the look she was going for
b) I would sound like those exasperating people that used to tell me that very thing when I was younger
Had I in fact turned into someone’s mother or more correctly, someone’s grandmother?
It’s true, my tastes had certainly changed over the years. But these were more food tastes and perhaps just some slightly added conservatism in my fashion choices (I dread to hear “mutton dressed as lamb” but secretly still chuckle at that turn of phrase). Of course my tastes in food have changed. I was not a particularly adventurous eater when young but now the odder the better. Years and years ago when I first tried pickles in my burgers, I had shunned those salty, pickled little specimens. But now years later I cannot get enough of them. A burger is not complete without one and meaty sandwiches in particular are natural match for them.
I found this recipe in my Donna Hay “Seasons” cookbook. It was of course under the “Winter” section which is full of gorgeously toasted and calorie laden concoctions. I go through my cookbooks with a pad of post its and when I see a picture and my mouth starts to water, then I bookmark it. So far it’s been my never fail way of making food although it can lead to strife when you start to lust at complicated pastries and cakes. The Thousand Layer Apple Cake was a prime example of poor judgement.
Rest assured though Dear Reader this is ridiculously easy and can be done in one pan on a night when the rain pours and the apartment heating mists up the windows. I know it’s low in vegetables being that it’s just pickle therein those folds but you could always add some leaves of baby spinach or arugula. If the need strikes.
So tell me Dear Reader, is there an area where your tastes have matured?
And in some unexpected news, reader Isla alerted me to my mention in this month’s Australian Women’s Weekly! Now that is a pleasant surprise! 
(click to enlarge)
Veal, Mustard & Pickle Toasties
Adapted from Donna Hay “Seasons”
Makes two triple decker sandwiches
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion sliced into thin rings
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2x 85 g thin veal schnitzels
- 6 slices ciabatta bread
- 1 garlic clove cut in half
- 4 teaspoons seeded mustard
- 2 tablespoons whole egg mayonnaise
- 80 g aged cheddar or Swiss Cheese (or whatever cheese takes your fancy)
- 2 dill pickles, sliced plus extra for serving
1. Firstly turn on the exhaust fan above your cooktop. Heat the oil in a large non stick frying pan over low heat. Add the onion and cook for 10 minutes. Cover and cook for a further 10 minutes until golden. Set aside.
2. Increase heat to high and cook veal for 1-2 minutes on each side or until browned.
3. Rub the cut garlic clove over the bread slices. Spread four slices of bread with mustard and mayonnaise and top with cheddar. Wipe the pan with a paper towel and add butter to the pan on medium heat. Place the slices of bread cheese side up and place lid on top of pan to keep it warm to melt the cheese. When cheese has melted, layer with the pickle slices, veal and caramelised onions. Fry the remaining two pieces of bread in some butter and then top the snadwiches wiht this third and final layer.
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75 Comments | Add your own
Congratulations on being in the Women’s Weekly! I can say that THANKFULLY I think my tastes have matured in many areas, like you in dressing, but also in food! And btw, this sandwich looks so perfect on a winter day like this! xx
OMG, those look fantastic! What a lovely sandwich idea!
Cheers,
Rosa
I love sandwiches piled high like this. YUM!
That story is too funny, Lorraine! In fact, I’ve begun to notice very grandmotherly traits in myself as well, lol! The sandwiches look delicious! One thing about my tastes that’s changed is that I used to hate eggs as a child (I know, who hates eggs?
) and now I love them!
LOL! That is too funny and I wonder if we become more esily shocked as we get older? But this sandwich I would’ve happily eaten when I was a kid and I’d love one now, winter or summer! I am sure my tastes have matured, evolved, but that may only be because the older I got, the more I traveled and the more food I was confronted with. And my husband is very knowledgeable about food and introduced me to so much!
Drooling! This is absolutely awesome! I love how onion rings are fried. And I can’t imagine a sandwich without picles. They always add more flavor to sandwiches.
Wow those pictures are completely amazing. My tastes have definitely matured in some ways, but in others I am still like a kid. Think I like it that way.
Oh and congrats on your mention in the AWW. Yay.
Yay! Comfort food!
oooh pickles + cheese = YUM!
This looks and sounds like a fab toastie – I love mustard. Hmm, although the lone pickle sitting on the bench looks a little scary! My tastes have matured in so many ways – in my house growing up, we didn’t even have onions because Mum hates them. And my flatmates way back when helped me to acquire a taste for red wine.
This looks absolutely delicious! Not a very good thing to look at in the middle of the night though, it makes me hungry!
A grown up toasted sandwich- sounds lovely for a lazy sunday dinner.
My tastes in everything have matured. Particularly people and food. I tried tuna again for the first time in about 10 years and found I thought it was ‘ok’ which is a big step up from the hatred I have held for it for so long!
this will be my perfect meal! I love the way you play around on presenting the veal and with pickle & mustard, it’s heaven!
My mouth is watering… Why can’t it be dinnertime so I can make this right now?
I would (ahem, WILL) eat this with sauteed red cabbage and mustardy green beans on the side. Delicious!
My boyfriend would definitely love this as he adores veal. I will definitely have to add this to the list of things to cook for him once I am off crutches.
As for tastes maturing, my tastes have not only matured in regards to food and wine, but also fashion. My boyfriend can’t help but laugh and wonder what some people think when they look in the mirror before they head out the house in the morning. In particular girls who wear skirts (or belts as my boyfriend refers to them) so short the world is their gynecologist. God I sound old!! *laughs*
Oh, are pickles the ultimate age test? Hmm.. better so slip some into my next toastie and gauge the reaction
great recipe, ya nanna!!!
Yum this looks great!! I an going to try this tonight!!! My pet hate at present is leggings or stockings as Pants do people really believe they can wear these without a dress or skirt!! Or am I just getting old???
why do i always type a double N?
oh, and i forgot the emoticon. without it i realise my previous comment may have been mistaken for rudeness.
so . . .
Thank you for this recipe. My husband will love it. I’ll definitely make it next week for him!
x
Yuuuummm. I still haven’t grown completely into the pickles and mustard, though, and instead would slather chunks of tomato chutney between those toastie slices.
Oh my goodness, Lorraine!! GORGEOUS toastie – I’ve never heard sandwiches called that before.
Love it! 
I’m such a fan of hot sandwiches AND pickles that I will have to make them on my next cold day. 
I’m definitely going to try this one! Maybe tonight as it was such a wild, wet and woolly one last night…outside of course..and not in my bedroom alas
A good recipe for the casual diner, speaking of which Lorraine…I can’t seem to open the cafe-casual dining page??
More pickles for me please! And you’re not alone on that grandma-dome bound train. I think I got a seat on it ages ago..
I need to make this, it sounds moreish!
Yum! this looks delicious. We do something similar with steak, caramelised onions and mushrooms and cheese. But the pickles seem like a much needed addition!
I often add pickled jalapenos for an additional sour/spicy kick.
Fortunately my taste in men has drastically improved! I can’t believe the twits I dated before I met my gorgeous husband – I sidestepped a lot of landmines there. I have always loved pickles and mustard – not so wild about veal though – have to really be in the mood x
I thought only people in America dress like that! LOL
You can never go wrong with a sandwich like this…quick and easy and it does not have to break the bank!
I find myself commenting on how cold all the young women must be walking down the street in strappy dresses and no jacket in the middle of winter on a Friday night in town
Toasted (nay fried in butter) sandwiches – and with the tang of mustard and pickle to ‘cut’ through the butter and cheese – how could anyone resist? These look so perfectly done too.
This double-decker sandwich looks super delicious! That melted cheese…Mmmmmmm!
The bustier story cracked me up. It made me think of the era I was more prone to show a bit more. But back in that day I was stuck on filet mignon. I’m more open now beef cheeks, oxtail, liver, and dark meat on the chicken. I guess I’m saying I toned down the dress and up’d the flavor. hehe
Congrats on the AWW mention. My first experience with pickles was as a child eating McDonald’s cheeseburgers – always picked them out and never ever ate them. Eventually I got older and tired of constantly picking pickle out so decided to just eat them, havn’t looked back since! It adds another dimension to the whole thing =D
I’m sure my tastes have changed over the years. Especially with new flavours arriving on our shelves all the time.
It’s so funny to hear my daughter (now 21) tell me how she has “always” liked something, when I know I had to avoid cooking it for years when she was little.
Mmmm – comfort food at it’s best!
Perhaps you should have a look at eatyourbooks.com – a great way to get rid of the stickie notes in your cookbooks!
I love a good and rich sandwich. My tastebuds have definitely changed. I love sweeter stuff now!
Geez I could go one of these right now. Much better than the doughnut I’m eating now
oh my, looks yummy and any meal that can be made with one pan (pot, casserole, slow cooker, etc) is a good one.
I would say my appreciation for cheese, I use to eat plastic Kraft singers but now, only blue vein, aged cheddar, camembert, etc tickle my fancy.
p.s. Congrats on the feature in WW =)
Firstly, congrats on getting a mention in the Women’s Weekly!
Secondly….YUM!!!! That certainly tickles this pickle fan’s fancy!
Well, I now like relaly dark, bitter, hardcore dark chocolate and can’t stomach Cadbury’s sickly sweet confections… does that count?
Gosh, I love pickles in every way, shape, or form. I think I might make a version of this with baby gherkins tonight
thank you to the hairdressers place where i read the Women’s Weekly! You should be very proud to be mentioned in it!
Oh yum Lorraine! I am so going to have this for dinner tonight! Hi to you guys
…Stevo
Congrats on the Womans Weekly. That is one massive sandwich!!
Oh yum, I want one of these lovelies so badly! My tastes have definitely matured — started to love lima beans, olives, sushi, and a host of other things I used to not care for at all.
My taste has definitely matured over the years… when I was a teenager I couldn’t stand garlic and now I just can’t get enough of them!!
Ooh congratulations on your mention in WW
I can’t say I’m a big fan of pickles – My boyfriend has tried on countless attempts to get me to eat them but I can never get my head around it.
They’re sweet, yet sour, soggy, yet crunchy..
I’d much rather stick to cucumbers!
That looks sensational and I particularly like the fact that you used round bread! I saw the AWW mention as well but I would have expected them to ask for permission!
Oh, um wow. Drool! We have flagged this to make on the weekend!
I was a VERY fussy kid (and teenager) so my taste in food has definitely improved! I like to think my taste in music has improved also (Spice Girls?)
Isla beat me to it! I too was very chuffed to see you mentioned in the ‘mainstream’ press of AWW. You go girl!
This looks SOOO good…drool factor! YUM!
These Toasties look delicious but I’d have to serve them up for lunch my spoilt hubby wouldn’t classify it as a dinner ‘meal’.
I’ve always loved all sorts of food so I don’t think I’ve matured from not liking something to liking it but I’ve certainly matured in my Obsession of Food. Can it get any worse? lol
Just brilliant
I was a very difficult eater as a child. I was just not interested in food and I remember the feeling of chewing on the same bite for ages and suffering while trying to swallow it. Where did those days go? I am now food obsessed: I like eating pretty much ANYTHING, I read about food, I write about food, I make food, I love shopping for food, especially in new places. So yes, my food tastes have definitely changed. From almost nothing to everything!
Such an amazing sandwich!
Well,as far as my tastes are concerned, I’ve swapped standard-issue mustard for the whole-grained good stuff, American “chocolate” bars for premium dark chocolate, store-bought bread for homemade, and California rolls for properly-done uni gunkan sushi.
Delicious – as usual.
A big woot! woot! for the Australian Women’s Weekly mention!
My tastes have changed, thankfully, as for a good chunk of my life I was pretty much a one dish girl – pasta & butter.
my tastes have since expanded, but I still can’t bite into mushroom. I love the ‘essence’ of it, but can’t handle the texture.
I used to hate marmite, beetroot, mince and smoked salmon as a kid. But now I love them!!
Congrats on the mention in AWW, I love those fab recipes so they obviously know their stuff…
I do love how your stories and your recipes link together – always so enjoyable to read. I think it might be a case of maturing from things spilling out of tops, to things spilling out of sandwiches! Tastes certainly evolve, although I tend to be reminded more lately of those that are constants… pate has always been one of those. Toasted sandwiches are another, though!
Yum! That melted cheese makes my heart beat faster… And congrats in AWW! I guess it’s an especially sweet triumph for you?
Will you be posting a screenshot of the mention?
Congratulations Lorraine on your mention! For some reason, I can’t read it but that’s okay – I love AWW – I’ll get a copy tomorrow!
Thats awsome I thought its from a cafe somwehere
I am looking forward to you being an international food correspondent for a great magazine any day now… the sandwich is a slice of heaven and I can’t wait to give it a try when the weather cools here (it is so funny we are opposite… we talk of cooling dishes when you talk of warming!). Congrats on the mention!
Are you pregnant Lorraine?!
For some reason, this looks like perfect pregnant lady food. Must be the pickles, I love them, I always ask for extra on my maccas cheeseburger!
Congrats on the AWW mention, how ironic considering what they did to you!
Wonder if they’d let you repost the recipes now, haha.
I never ate vegetables as a child, but now I’m surprising myself with how much green leafy vegetables I happily eat on a daily basis! Ah the joys of ageing.
i won’t lie, i have my doubts about this. however, you’ve made it look really delicious!
Wow a mention in Women’s Weekly – you have made it!
I love Mad Men as well but sadly do not resemble any of the characters either…
Why have I never thought to double decker my toasted sandwiches?! I shall be looking upon all single decker ones now with disdain.
Hi Maria-Thankyou!
That’s good! 
Thanks, it warmed me up so much! 
Hi Rosa-thanks so much!
Hi Blond Duck-me too! triple deckers all the way!
Hi Faith-Thankyou!
Hehe you and me both! 
Oh really, that’s interesting! 
Hi Jamie-I think we might indeed!
Ahh this is true absolutely. Travel is great for that! 
And yes knowledgable company always helps!
Hi zerrin-Thankyou!
I love fried onions too! Absolutely agree about pickles!
Hi Linda-Thanks so much! Hehe there is definitely nothing wrong with that!
thankyou!
Hi Fiona-Indeed!
Hi Lisa-Hehe thanks!
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou! hehe he was a bendy one
Interesting, I can’t imagine cooking without onions!
Hi Cooking-Gallery-hehe sorry about that!
Hi sandra-yup it’s lazy but rewarding!
Hi gastronomygal-Ahh now you see that is interesting as Mr NQN hates tuna. Maybe I should try it on him in a few year’s time!
Hi Big Boys Oven-Thankyou!
hehe that was all Donna Hay! 
Hi Susan-ooh i like your idea for the accompaniments!
Hi delicieux-Oh fantastic! I hope it’s not long before you’re off them! hehe that saying is hilarious!
Hi Y-I think they are indeed
Hi Annna-LOL!
Hi Eliza-Thankyou so much! I hope you like it!
Oh yes that is a very wierd and must be stopped fashion. it’s just not flattering at all! 
Hi Anna-hehe I know what you meant
Hi She Wore It Well-You’re more than welcome, I hope you both like it!
x
Hi Karen-Mmm toamto chutney sounds lovely!
Hi Krista-hehe thankyou Krista! Hehe maybe it’s an Australian saying
yes best served when freezing outside!
Hi Deedy-I know, wasn’t it beastly! Oh no, I wonder why! Thanks for letting me know-I’ll look into it!
Hi Forager-yes we’re all in the front carriage together
Hi Dana-thankyou! I hope you like it!
Hi Caz-Thanks so much!
Mmm that does sound amazing! I like the addition of mushrooms and jalapenos!
Hi Shan-hehe that is a good thing! Mine too
You could definitely use steak if you wanted 
Hi Carolyn-haha noooo!
Hi Caterina-Absolutely! And so satisfying too!
Hi Sarah-Oh yes I do too! Although I used to do the same!
Thankyou so much!
Hi Sue-Thankyou so much!
Hi Angela-hehe I can’t believe what i used to wear but then again it was the 80s
Haha now that’s not a bad combo!
Hi angie-Thankyou so much! I know, I think they must be too strongly flavoured for kids
Hi LisaD-yes I like to think I’ve tried some delicious, new food over the past few years.Haha that’s so funny!
Hi Amanda-thankyou!
Will check that out!
Hi penny-Oh really! That’s interesting, I thought that kids like sweeter stuff!
Hi john-hehe thankyou!
I’ll swap you one for one! 
Hi mashi-Absolutely, I love one pot or pan meals! Oh yes that’s a big improvement! Thankyou so much!
Hi Liv-thanks Liv!
And I’m so glad! 
Hi Hannah-yes it does!
Mmm baby gherkins! nice! 
Now are you going to make your own pickle chocolate? 
Hi I-Thanks for letting me know!
Hi Stevie -Hey Stevie! I hope you’re looking after yourself while E is away!
Hi Sara-Thankyou so much!
Hi Julie-Your sense of taste sounds very good indeed now!
Hi Kimba-yes imagine all the delicious garlicky items you can have now!
Hi Kristy-Thankyou very much!
hehe well I’m sure you could put cucumbers in this sandwich too 
Hi Gummi Baby-Thanks!
haha now wouldn’t that be funny! 
Hi Chanel-Fabulous! I’d love to know what you think of it!
that’s great! Nothing wrong with that at that time right? 
Hi Kate-Thankyou so much Kate! You are too kind!
Hi Tenina-Thankyou Tenina!
Hi Matilda-Oh no, how very spoilt! hehe you could start a blog!
Hi Fiona-Thanks Fiona!
Hi Nuts about food-Oh no you poor thing. But sounds like you are making up for lost time which is a good thing!
Hi Midge-thankyou!
Mmm sounds like your tastes are very good now Midge! 
Hi Debra-Thanks!
Hi Naomi-Thanks Naomi!
Isn’t that funny how many readers used to have such different tastes! 
Is that all mushrooms?
Hi Loll-That’s so interesting!
thankyou! 
Hi Blue Penguin-Thankyou so much, that’s very kind of you to say!
Mmm yes pate and toasted sandwiches are favourites from my youth too! 
Hi Honey-hehe thankyou! It was certainly a surprise!
I put one up 
Hi Trissa-Thanks very much Trissa! Oh really? I’ve fixed it now.
Hi Obesebaby-Aww thankyou so much!
Hi deana-Hehe why thankyou!
thankyou so much Deana! 
I know I look at all of your lovely sorbet dessert with much envy!
Hi Jen-haha no!
I always love pickles 
Hi Su-yin-hehe thankyou! I must agree!
Probably not still 
Ahh good for you!
Hi grace-hehe nooo! trust me
Hi Gourmet Chick-hehe thankyou!
I know, I wish I did!
Hi Conor-I know, I need to do it to all of mine from now on! haha!
This looks tasty but I think i’d have to stick to a single layer!
Woah, great looking sandwich!
I was just writing about toasties! mmmmm nothing better on a cold day!
OMG WANT! But how on earth do you get your mouth around that?
Wait. I probably don’t want to know… *snigger*
That’s one special sandwich – yummo!
I’m not quite sure that my tastes have matured – rather, I think that my mindset has. For example, as a child I ate whatever I was fed, and loved it. I loved fish, seafood, offal, game – I ate whatever was going in our kitchen and did so with gusto. Once I hit the dreaded teenage years, I developed an aversion to anything weird, which in my mind included most meats (unless it was beef, cooked to remove the last skerrick of blood), fish, definitely offal and, oddly, chicken. I was a pseudo vegetarian. These days, though, I have a whole new attitude and am learning to enjoy once again the things which were second nature to me as a child, when I had no inhibitions about the food on my plate. I think my palate hasn’t matured, but my attitude certainly has.
x Amy
PS congrats on the AWW mention!
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