Steak Sandwich with Roasted Peppers, Avocado and Basil

"Well that was time consuming but delicious," says Raul while chewing. "It all goes back to taking a two dollar cut of meat . . ."

The sandwiches' genesis began when Drew, realizing they were out of staples, milk for the coffee and dog food beyond boring kibble, raced to Food Basics at the crack of dawn, despite the pouring rain, to prepare for the day. While racing through the supermarket he noticed deeply discounted round steaks. On a whim he purchased two plump looking steaks for only $2.75. Raul shook his head and warned that round steak is not a prime cut. "But if we marinate," he mused.

The steaks are sliced into thinner slices and immersed in red wine, pepper, mixed herbs, a dash of hot sauce and garlic, and left for close to six hours. As the afternoon progresses Raul creates the other fillings while Drew is sent, in the pouring rain, to the corner store for fresh crusty buns. Raul takes two whole peppers, one yellow and one red, and pops them on the bbq. When they char black he removes them and places them in a covered bowl for 20 minutes to steam them internally. "It is traditional, and best, to put them in a paper bag," says Raul. "They steam more evenly and don't dry out. But where do you get paper bags these days?" Raul scrapes the blackened skin off the peppers, it slides off with ease, and chops them into slices. He caramelizes onion slices, fries chopped mushrooms and blends an avocado with a spoonful of Miracle Whip in the mini-food processor. The avocado spread is slathered on the crusty buns and covered with large basil leaves from the balcony garden.

The steak slices go on the bbq and quickly cook through. Raul layers them on the waiting bun and then piles on the peppers, onions and mushrooms. The result is messy but delicious with the basil adding a fragrant but very subtle kick.

"Should the steak have marinated longer?" asks Drew who notes that, though it in no way affects the taste, it is a tiny bit tough.

"Next time we'll leave them overnight," suggests Raul. "But you don't seem to be having a problem finishing yours." Drew is about to retort but his mouth is full.

The dog insists he could not possibly wait overnight, he has already waited too long for the few scraps R&D are deigning to save him.