Last week I let go of my oldest child’s hand as he walked into his Kindergarten classroom. My heart ached, I cried and all I wanted was to just grab him and bring him back home with me- but of course I couldn’t do that. One, I would look like an INSANE obsessive crazy mom and Two, I know without a doubt he is ready for this and Kindergarten is just one step of many we will be taking through the years. As I dragged myself back to the car, okay I wasn’t dragging but I was walking really r-e-a-l-l-y slow in case for some reason Grant needed me quickly and I had to run back to him and save the day (didn’t happen, wasn’t gonna happen but who knows- it could have) my mind was flooded with the emotions and questions. Did I prepare him enough? What if he gets hurt? Or gets lonely? Will he find good friends? Will he love it? the list goes on and on. Now I don’t have the answers to my many many questions but I know who does and I trust fully in HIM to take care of my little boy just as he has always taken so great of care over me. So with that said, by mid-morning I had dusted myself off and I was ready to get in the kitchen and create something fun and oh so delicious for my new little kindergartener.
Sandwiches. My oldest son takes after his dad when it comes to his love for sandwiches. I knew pizza, chicken and mac n cheese would be guaranteed winners in his book but for his first night of Kinder but I decided a fun little sandwich would be something out of the ordinary and allow me extra time to hear about his day rather then being in the kitchen. Who would have thought that poppy seeds and mustard belong on a sandwich? It’s a strange combination of ingredients- BUT IT WORKS! Most of the time you will see this recipe with Ham instead of Roast Beef but we all know I like to be different and so I figured since I always add a little mustard and butter to my homemade roast beef recipe anyway- why not add mustard, butter and poppy-seeds to a roast beef sandwich.
The savory butter, mustard and poppy seed glaze just soaks into the sandwich and creates such a wonderful crusty crispy bread. Most of the sauce will stay on top of the rolls but in my opinion, the best part of the dish is when the sauce seeps into the sides of the sandwich adding a nice little extra coating to the meat and cheese. The Monterrey jack adds a little heat to the dish and lets be honest- the roast beef is meaty and slightly tangy and just goes perfectly with the buttery buttered buns (say that three times in a row). The best part about these sliders is that they are kid-friendly, party perfect and even though they might look like an ordinary slider they are anything but ordinary. These sliders are a great addition to your weeknight meals and your upcoming football game day celebrations.
Roast Beef and Pepper Jack Sliders
Author: Kitchen Belleicious
Ingredients
- 16 dinner rolls or Hawaiian rolls
- 16 slices thin sliced deli roast beef
- 16 slices Monterrey Pepper jack cheese, sliced
- POPPY SEED TOPPING
- 8 TBSP butter, melted
- ½ tsp horseradish
- ½ tsp brown sugar
- 1½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ TBSP Saucy Mama Chipotle Mustard
- 1 Tbsp
- garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp
- poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover the bottom of the 9x13 pan with foil. Cut each dinner roll in half. Fold the slice roast beef in half and top with sliced cheese. Place them in the pan close together. You may need 2 pans depending on the size of your rolls. My pan fit 12 sandwiches and I used an additional pan for the remaining 4-5 rolls.
- Whisk all of the dressing ingredients together. Brush the sauce generously over the top of the rolls, stirring the dressing in between brushing to make sure all flavors and components stay combined. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes until cheese is melted and the tops are slightly crispy.
I think this is my dream after school snack!!
I’ve seen this recipe only in magazines a few times but wondered if it would really work. You’ve figured that out for me!! This will be perfect for a party I think. Ah, kindergarten. I remember letting go of those little hands.
Best,
Bonnie
We have made them with ham and cheese, so why not the beef and a little added kick?!! Yum, we will have to give these a try.
I have only ever made the ham and cheese version – I’m pretty sure this version would change my life for the better. I’m making this tomorrow for dinner. Thanks for sharing.
Those poppy cheese sliders look scrumptious. I still have some roasted chicken and cheddar in the fridge..this comes just in time. Thanks for sharing, Jess.
I’ve never tried a slider before, so I’m definitely going to try your recipe out! They look amazingly good!
I’m a big sandwich fan. These look amazing and would be great for a party. I know it must be hard to let the little hand go. My sister had a friend who would not stay at school the first year for love or money, so they let her skip a grade. It’s hard on kids that age to let your hand go too.
Sam
WOW! These look great. I have never made sliders before. I bet they are amazingly tasty! Well done, and thank you!
I am a sucker for any sandwich in slider form. Yum!
Oh my heart aches for you 🙁 It’s all wonderful and awful at the same time. My son is about to turn 28 and I still feel that way when I see him after a few weeks of not! He has a wonderful wife, and a beautiful home, but he will always been my little kindergartner. I love my kids! And I have always loved those little ham and swiss sandwiches on the little buns – so I know I would love these! cheesy buttery deliciousness! Bravo – I hope he loved his first day 🙂
Perfect party food! I need an excuse to make these…how about the next football game?!!!
P.S. Wait till you drop your oldest off at college. Sniff, sniff. Except I’m up to my youngest!!! I hope Grant is loving kindergarten!
This looks yummy! I’m sure your son is all smiles coming home to this delicious lunch!
I knew just what you meant, my eyes was misty too, when my first child went to kindy, and the same thing with my second child. You will be misty eyed too, when they “graduate” from kindy. I did! The emotions we mother feel for things like this! 🙂
hi jessica! i think most mothers will feel like you too , i’m sure your kid will do fine …enjoying schooling and friends..oh gosh, i think he will be looking forward for all the food too when he gets home..look at these…yums! the poppyseed dressing sounds great, i love that too!
Well done on being a brave mommy Belle. The next milestone will be a little easier.
Lovely sliders! Wonderful combination of flavours for a sandwich.
Have a wonderful day.
🙂 Mandy xo
These look so delicious and comforting. I love it when comfort food isn’t super heavy but still satisfying. I’ll go back to school if I can have this as an after school snack!
kindy already!? Wow! Time just fly by doesnt it? But he will always come back to the warmth of the kitchen. Especially those tasty sliders!
These look adorable and sound delicious, thanks for sharing!
Awww I’m sure that was super stressful for you, but it sounds like he handled it SO WELL. That means you did good. 🙂
I’m sure he was happy to come home to these sliders!
I simply cannot wait to make these! I wish I had them right now. They look so flavorful and delicious and I love a good sandwich on Hawaiian rolls. So good! I hope your little guy had a great first day of Kindergarten and wish him a wonderful, wonderful year. It’s such a bittersweet moment isn’t it. Hugs to you too mom!
The first day of school for the first-born is tough. I barely made it through. Maybe if I’d had one of these amazing sandwiches I would have handled it better. 🙂 I was a wreck and he was over the moon about going to school. “You can go now, Mom.” I felt like I’d been fired.
They look amazingly good! Your kindergartner son must be very happy.
What a great idea to make my sons after school. Thanks for sharing.
These would be perfect to enjoy with friends while watching the football games. I love poppyseed buns, even for my hamburgers.
The poppy seed topping sounds nice! Great game food or kids playdate food!