Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Panini

Last summer I went to a baby shower and they served paninis. They had a huge table set up with many different fillings to choose from. There were a variety of breads, spreads, meats, cheeses and veggies. We were told to choose our bread and fillings and stand in line for one of the two panini cooks to grill our sandwiches. It was so much fun and really delicious! After that party, I really wanted a panini maker. You can wrap a brick in foil and use that as a press for your sandwich in a skillet but I really wanted a real panini press. Last September for my birthday, my kids surprised me with one. We ate so many paninis that I really got sick of them. I put the panini maker away in a closet and forgot about it. Last weekend I was looking through my "Barefoot Contessa at Home" Cookbook I saw this recipe for tomato, mozzarella and pesto panini and pulled out the panini maker and made dinner!

20 comments:

  1. RosemaryJuly 10, 2007 10:06 AM

    Yummy! Sounds like a good way to make dinner and keep cool at the same time.
    Rosemary

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  2. GaylaJuly 10, 2007 11:32 AM

    That looks yummy! My friend bought my son a panini maker for Christmas. When he and a group of young guys get together for tv or sports or whatever, I get some deli meat, cheeses, relishes and let them make their own sandwiches. I love making them, but I have spurts of getting tired of it, too. This one looks delightful. I served panini with soup for a Christmas luncheon I had. Was that your own pesto you made earlier from your garden? You are soooo clever!!!

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  3. JulieJuly 10, 2007 11:38 AM

    Yummy! Say good-bye to the diet. I can't grill anything without real butter!

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  4. AnonymousJuly 10, 2007 11:47 AM

    Ina is just the greatest! Those sandwiches look so good. I think I better get out my grill pan and press!

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  5. brenJuly 10, 2007 12:59 PM

    This looks delightful. I love you glasses. I went to a neighboring town to a thrift store today looking and found 2 similar ones. Planning on something special for me and my 10 DS the sandwich might just go nice for an afternoon lunch. Unfourtnately no daughters to share it with but he is willing.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 10, 2007 1:43 PM

    Yum! We just use our George for making them--I don't know if they are different than a real maker, but they're good! Thanks for the great reminder! ~A :-)

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  7. AnonymousJuly 10, 2007 1:44 PM

    Oh YUM! I "cheat" and make these in my (thrifted) George Foreman grill. Thanks for the pesto/tomato/mozarella idea. Will try it tonight! martha

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  8. Southern HeartJuly 10, 2007 2:10 PM

    Yum....love those! How thoughtful of your kids to get that gift for you, too! I just love the Barefoot Contessa...she makes everything seem easy, and her ingredient list is practical, too.

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  9. linda tJuly 10, 2007 4:17 PM

    Oh my goodness, that looks soooo good! YUMO!

    And I loved the pics from your last post! What a lovely garden! I too, love to move things around and "play house"! It's the only way I enjoy cleaning, when I can rearrange and redecorate as I clean!

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  10. LalleeJuly 10, 2007 4:45 PM

    I get the same thing at my favorite local restaurant every time I go~their vegetable panini with huge artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, large mushrooms, cheese and pesto sauce. Oh, my mouth is watering now. I swore no more kitchen appliances, but if I were to ever get one.......

    Lallee

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  11. MaryJuly 10, 2007 7:01 PM

    Oh yes, I love my panini maker and use it often. I always make a ton of pesto in the Summer - freezer is still full from last year - but it's great to enhance cheese and veggies in a sandwich, and of course on pasta or a spoonful to garnish a bowl of soup.

    I will try TJ's lemonade - and by the way, their Ciabatta bread is fabulous for making the paninis!!
    Have you tried their Goat Brie? My favorite cheese - have to stock up every couple of weeks as the store is not close by.
    Love the glasses - love everything you do Cindy - so keep playing house!!

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  12. UnknownJuly 10, 2007 7:08 PM

    Oh my, I want a panini maker so bad! Those look delicioous! What sweet thoughtful children you have Cindy!

    Amy

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  13. AnonymousJuly 10, 2007 7:17 PM

    Just the ingredients look great in your photo! Haven't had a panini in a long time, but love 'em, and yours looks yummo. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. :-)

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  14. AnonymousJuly 10, 2007 7:55 PM

    Oh my, your pictures are making me hungry! I am going to try the foil and brick method that you described.

    Hugs:)
    Carol

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  15. linda tJuly 10, 2007 10:00 PM

    Hey Cindy, I posted your hanky pics today! Thanks again for giving me permission to post them! Your blog is such an inspiration to sooo many! Thanks for sharing your gifts & talents Cindy!

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  16. SueJuly 11, 2007 3:53 AM

    Yum, that looks good even at 6:52 AM here in Michigan!

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  17. Gypsy PurpleJuly 11, 2007 4:51 AM

    Oh yummy!!!!!

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  18. BeccaJuly 11, 2007 8:15 AM

    Hi Cindy...I came over from Linda's blog at Reminisce...I can see I will be around more often. You have such lovely things...and I do love lovely things!

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  19. LuluJuly 11, 2007 6:17 PM

    yummers, looks devine..

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  20. Suburban prepJuly 12, 2007 6:28 AM

    love Barefoot Contessa. Love Susan Branch too.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment! ~Cindy