The Panini Press Blog: Ok ok ok! I know!

The Panini Press Blog: Ok ok ok! I know!: "I know I said I would have a new post up already. But to paraphrase, 'toddlers are what happens when your trying to make other plans.' Or an..."

Ok ok ok! I know!

I know I said I would have a new post up already. But to paraphrase, "toddlers are what happens when your trying to make other plans." Or any plans for that matter! Still, no excuse. I really have to get back on the ball here. My loving hubs bought me a press for Christmas and it's currently neatly tucked under piles of, well, stuff.

I started a full time job just before Thanksgiving, and we all know the holidays are hell in a hand basket for keeping with a routine. I am going to make a sincere effort to get going and make you guys some panini!

Serena Norr of Seriously Soupy and I are in the works to team up for a special "Soup & Sandwich" edition. (I promise by the time we do it, we will have a much more original name.)

See ya soon!

Happy New Year from The Panini Press Blog!

It has certainly been a jam packed week and holiday season for that matter here at The Panini Press Blog and I'm ashamed to admit the season saw us inundated with other things. So my apologies for my lack of posts and updates and everything else. So here's a quick catch me up:

My husband turned 35 on December 2nd, our daughter turned 2 on December 12th, I turned 30 on December 29th, and I got a panini press for Christmas from the aforementioned "dynamic duo!!!"

I've got a ton of recipes in store for 2011 and will be starting back up this week. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and thank you for sticking with us!



MarxFoods is rocking my socks right now!!!!

Ker-fuf-fle: n. a disturbance or commotion.


Fresh Truffle: n. the food of the gods – well worthy of causing a kerfuffle.



This week’s event is a Fresh Oregon Truffle giveaway! The US’s wild truffles may not be as famous or potent as European varieties like white alba truffles, but that doesn’t mean they’re not darned tasty.



One lucky person (drawn at random) is getting their choice of a quarter pound of either Black Oregon Truffles or White Oregon Truffles!



To enter: leave us a comment below telling us which type you’d prefer and what you’ll be shouting if you’re picked.



We’ll select one comment at random (via number generator) to award the truffles to on Nov. 29th. The winner will also get a chance to enter our upcoming Ridiculously Delicious Challenge in December!



QUADRUPLE Your Chances – Spread the Word!

Post a Facebook update, Twitter update and/or a blog post telling your friends and readers about the kerfuffle (feel free to use our badge!) and where to enter, then leave an additional comment here for each with a link to your facebook/twitter/blog update. Each of the (up to) three comments left here will count as an additional entry.



Good luck, and stay tuned, there are more random drawings coming (every week until the end of the year!), plus all sorts of other foodie fun.

Grilled Gruyere on Pumpkin Bread Panini

Our second fall classic. Pumpkin. I love the smell of pumpkin bread something fierce! For this panini, I made the bread. Granted, it was from a box, but there really is something special about making the bread yourself. That being said, I do not intend to make the bread at home. There is also something special about having the bread readily available in my bakery lol.

Anyhoo, this is a very simple recipe. And a very delicious one. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2" thick slices of homemade Pumpkin bread (I used Libby's boxed brand. It brandished 2 loaves and came with icing. I did not use the icing.)
• 2-3 1/4" thick slices of Gruyere cheese

Serves 2

My very first homemade baked bread



Pumpkin-y goodness




I ripped the cheese in have to give it a rustic look, haha




Place on preheated grill 3-5 minutes depending on the thickness of the bread




Pumpkin bread remains very moist, and therefore can get a little crumbly.




Ooey gooey velvety fun
Grilled Gruyere on Pumpkin Bread Panini

Gruyere is a unique little cheese. It's nutty and fruity at the same time. It compliments the sweet Pumpkin perrrrrrfectly and is one of the finest melting cheeses going. It gives such a warm, harvest feel. It is by far the most popular panini I've made. Simply delicious, it gets better with every bite. 

Roasted Apple and Cheddar with Honey Mustard Vinagrette on Raisin Bread Panini

This is the first of the two Autumn/Fall inspired panini we're doing.
And what better way to kick it off, than with roasted apples. Nothing says staying warm during chilly days and chillier nights like warm apple. Dressed up in homemade honey mustard dressing, it's like fall fashion week here at TPPB! Enjoy!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Fiji apple
• 2 slices raisin bread (this one was store bought, sorry!!)
• 1/4 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon apple juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (1 tablespoon per use)
• 1/2 tablespoon dried thyme

Roasting Apples
Preheat oven to 400º. Peel, core and wedge apples. Coat with half of the olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon of thyme. Roast until golden brown and soft. 25-30 minutes.

Serves 2




Fiji apple




Thank you old fashioned apple corer/wedger!




Apples coated with thyme and olive oil




Golden and delicious. Wait, that's another apple entirely!




My honey mustard vinagrette : ) With the splash of apple juice for an extra kick




Le fromage




Plain Jane raisin bread




All dressed up and ready





3-5 minutes on preheated grill depending on the thickness of the bread

 


Roasted Apple and Cheddar with Honey Mustard Vinagrette on Raisin Bread Panini


The mild cheddar flavor melds so perfectly with the roasted apples and thyme. The sweetness of the raisin bread works in contrast to the slightly spicy vinagrette. It was a warm and delicious panini, welcoming fall in style!

"Monkey in the Middle"

I knew I had to do a peanut butter sandwich. I just had to jazz it up TPPB style! The question was how? Then it hit me..almond butter and chocolate! As I was trying to figure out a cutesy name for the sandwich, it dawned on me: add banana! That's how "Monkey in the Middle" was born.

Ingredients

• 1 banana
• Generous amount of Chunky Almond Butter (I used Blue Diamond brand in a pinch)
• 1 small loaf of Chocolate Chip Bread (again from Panetico in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn)

Serves 2



Chocolate Chip Bread





Almond Butter




Banana




Slice in quarters




Super Chunky




I wasn't kidding about being generous! :o)




Add bananas to only one side, so the monkey is in the middle!



These breads tend to be loaded with butter so no need to grease the grill first.
3-5 minutes on a medium high heat depending on thickness of the bread.



"Monkey in the Middle"
Chunky Almond Butter with Banana on Chocolate Chip Bread

 (Disregard the incorrect date on the camera. Baby steps...)