dsmWeekly - October 23, 2024

Feeding a crowd? Instead of grilling sandwiches, try toasting them in the oven. (Photo: Mary Jane Miller)

FOOD & DINING

Feeding a crowd? Make sheet-pan sandwiches.
By Mary Jane Miller

Is there anything better than a crispy grilled cheese sandwich? Well, actually, yes: more of them.

Trouble is, whenever you want to make more than two, you have to pull out another skillet and babysit them all while the bread browns and the cheese melts. When I recently hosted a few lunch guests, I wanted to make Cuban sandwiches, but I didn’t want to be tied to the stove while they were chatting out on the deck.

The solution: a pair of sheet pans. With the right technique, you can make four to six Cubans at the same time. While I didn’t make the classic version, with crispy-crusted pillowy Cuban bread, I made do with what I had — and they were delicious.

I first used this technique to make cute little Reuben appetizers before I realized it’s a snap to make full-sized sandwiches the same way: Reubens, Rachels, ham and cheese, or any other sandwich that has a bit of gooey melted goodness. And if you want to make eight to 12 sandwiches all in one go, it’s a good excuse to invest in four heavy sheet pans.

Sheet-Pan Cuban Sandwiches

Heat the oven to 450 degrees.
Line a heavy rimmed sheet pan with parchment.
Melt a half-stick of butter in the microwave and then brush it onto four slices of sourdough bread. Then place the slices, buttered side down, on the prepared sheet pan.
Spread yellow mustard on each slice of bread. Then top each slice with 1/4 cup of shredded Swiss cheese, a slice of ham and a scoop of pulled pork. (I had the leftover pulled pork from a party, but leftover roast pork or chicken, or just a bit more ham, works just as well.) Top each slice with four dill pickle slices and another 1/4 cup of shredded Swiss cheese. Then top each with a second slice of sourdough and brush the top with the remaining butter.
For easy clean up, place a sheet of parchment on top of the assembled sandwiches.
Place another sheet pan on top of it all and firmly press down. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the sandwiches are golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Sip whiskey from around the world this Saturday in Clive. (Photo: Des Moines Whiskey Festival)

BEST BET

Raise a glass this Saturday at the Whiskey Festival

Enjoy samples of whiskey and live entertainment from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday during the Des Moines Whiskey Festival in the Horizon Event Center in Clive. The festival that last year drew 2,000 guests showcases assorted whiskeys at tasting booths, so visitors can choose their favorites. Those who’d like to learn more can pop in to the whiskey-making master classes from distillers and other experts.

Live music, food trucks and merchandise vendors round out the offerings, with six performers and artists cycling throughout the day. And if you don’t like whiskey? Three general admission bars will offer all kinds of other potables. Find all the details and tickets online.

The Week Ahead

David Sedaris (7:30 p.m. Thursday): The author of “Naked,” “Me Talk Pretty One Day” and other bestsellers can still surprise his fans with quirky and often poignant observations about life, love, aging and whatever other thoughts ricochet around his mind. These days, he leads his own master class, contributes to “CBS Sunday Morning” and plans to share a few stories on Thursday at Stephens Auditorium in Ames.

Final farmers market (8 a.m.-noon Saturday): Experience the final farmers market of the year before hibernation begins. The Downtown Farmers' Market sells its last pumpkins and pupusas of the regular season, so head to the Historic Court District to shop around one last time in 2024.

B.Well Foundation Basketball Fundraiser (10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday): Enjoy food, art, break dancing and basketball at the B.Well Foundation's fifth annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Players from Des Moines Public School teams will compete in the tournament, and all event proceeds support their basketball programs.

Des Moines Symphony: Brahms (7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday): Guest violinist Geneva Lewis joins the orchestra for Brahms’ Violin Concerto in a program that includes William Grant Still’s jazzy “Serenade” and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 5.

Dia de Los Muertos (11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday): This year’s Day of the Dead programming at the Des Moines Art Center focuses on “Youth of the Eternal Flame,” with music and artwork to commemorate locals who died too young. The holiday with Mexican roots involves traditional food and music, art activities and more.

The Second City (opening 7 p.m. Tuesday): Believe it or not, the Chicago comedy troupe has been around for 65 years now. They’ll conjure their wackadoodle magic at the Temple for Performing Arts, from Oct. 29 through Nov. 3.

Special effects artist Collier Wilmes paints the finishing touches on your worst nightmare. (Photo: Duane Tinkey)

PEOPLE & COMMUNITY

On making monsters

By Dan Ray

Collier Wilmes couldn’t find any Godzilla toys when he was growing up in one of Iowa’s poorest counties. So he started making his own. Now he lives in Des Moines and works as a special effects and makeup artist for movies like the ones he obsessed over as a kid.

“That lack of access bolstered my imagination and my creativity,” he said. “Since I couldn’t have a Godzilla toy, I made my own out of pipe cleaners or paper or cardboard or whatever I could get my hands on.”

Since then, Wilmes has upgraded his materials.

One of his favorite projects is Bob, a bust he originally created as a mask for a short film he wanted to direct. The idea was to create a modern Frankenstein monster inspired by genetic engineering.

With genetic engineering, Wilmes said, “you can’t predict how the actual organism’s anatomy and biology will respond. I wanted to make something that looked like it was menacing, like the body was rejecting itself.”

This year, Wilmes submitted Bob to the 2024 Creature Making Contest at the Stan Winston School of Character Arts, named for one of Wilmes’ childhood heroes and the Oscar-winning special effects artist behind movies like “The Terminator,” “Jurassic Park” and “Iron Man.” Wilmes was so sure he wouldn’t win the contest that he didn’t check the website until his girlfriend reminded him about it.

“She was pestering me: ‘Oh, what happened to that contest?’ So I go on the site, and I see the winner. ‘Oh. I won. Huh,’” he said. “I had a moment of silence of just letting it sink in.”

Other than Bob, Wilmes listed a Beach Goon mask he sculpted for Trick or Treat Studios and a Bigfoot mask as some of his favorite pieces he’s made so far.

To keep up with Wilmes or order a custom piece, follow him on Instagram at @collier.art1330 or Patreon.