I recently found an old model George Foreman (new in box) online for $15. Now, while it may be advertised as the mean, lean, grilling machine; what many people fail to realize is that it also works as a panini press. Who needs two gadgets when one will do? So I have been making panini. I am not fond of sandwiches, though my husband loves them. Yet when the word panini is used instead, I suddenly develop a true love and adoration for the grilled sandwiches. So pull out that old George Foreman, or a panini press...or a couple of skillets and a brick...but try that panini!
Panini Basics:
use high quality bread, such as french baguettes or ciabatta
Make sure to stuff the cut side and grill the crust side or use a hearty loaf that can take the heat
Always melt the cheese
Enjoy!
Some combinations to try:
Sliced turkey, cranberry-orange chutney, spinach, and gouda
Sliced ham, apple, spinach, and brie
Sliced turkey, avocado, spinach, spicy mustard, and monterey jack
Cranberry-Orange Chutney (for 2 sandwiches)
1/2 c. fresh cranberries or frozen, thawed
1 tbsp orange zest
about 1 tbsp orange juice
1 tsp sugar
Mix all ingredients in a pot, simmer until cranberries pop. Cool 10 minutes before use. May refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days.
Enjoy!
Monday, January 30, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Remember....Spaghetti and Apple Pie ala mode
Last week, on January 4th, my grandfather died. He was 88 years old, and had Alzheimer's. Ever since my grandmother passed 11/2 years ago (see this post about her), his connection to the outside world was lost. He was already gone. And so for the past week it feels like I have been floating. I just think, that maybe, if I went to his assisted living facility, he would still be there, waiting to give me a hug. My grandfather was my hero. People talk about girls being "Daddy's girl". But really, I was "Granpa's girl". Granpa played with me, taught me, but most of all, he listened to me, even when no one else did.
When I was a little girl, I slurped spaghetti. Granpa is the one who taught me to twirl the noodles on a spoon to make them fit on the fork just right. And his favorite meal, in the whole wide world, was spaghetti followed by apple pie ala mode. I think this week it's time to remember. To move past denial, and to grieve. And to have a big bowl of spaghetti and a huge slice of apple pie.
Spaghetti and Meatballs (serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 box whole wheat spaghetti
1 1b Italian sausage
1 c. flour
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 12oz cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp Italian herb seasoning (or 11/2 tsp each: oregano,parsley, basil, and 1/2 tsp thyme and 1 tsp garlic)
You could also use 1 160z jar Classico or Bertolli pasta sauce instead of the plain sauce and herbs.
Directions:
If sausage is in casings, remove them. Mix sausage, flour, and cheese together. Roll into 2 in balls. Place on foil lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until cooked through.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions for "al dente" about 1 minute less than box calls for.
Heat sauce and herbs.
Drain pasta, and return to pot. Add sauce to large pot with noodles. Mix well.
Divide into 4 serving bowls and top with meatballs and Parmesan if desired.
Enjoy!
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
2 Pillsbury pie crusts.
4 rome apples, peeled and cored
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
dash cardamon and allspice
3 tbsp cold butter, cut in pieces
2 tbsp sugar, plus more for sprinkling
agave nectar
1 tbsp butter, melted
Directions:
Place one crust in bottom of greased 9" pie pan. In a bowl, mix apples, spices, and sugar. Toss to coat. Place in pie crust. Drizzle agave nectar on top. Place butter on top randomly. Cover with remaining crust. Cut a vent hole. Brush with butter. Sprinkle on sugar. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until crust is golden brown and apples are soft.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream (preferable homemade).
Enjoy!
When I was a little girl, I slurped spaghetti. Granpa is the one who taught me to twirl the noodles on a spoon to make them fit on the fork just right. And his favorite meal, in the whole wide world, was spaghetti followed by apple pie ala mode. I think this week it's time to remember. To move past denial, and to grieve. And to have a big bowl of spaghetti and a huge slice of apple pie.
Spaghetti and Meatballs (serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 box whole wheat spaghetti
1 1b Italian sausage
1 c. flour
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 12oz cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp Italian herb seasoning (or 11/2 tsp each: oregano,parsley, basil, and 1/2 tsp thyme and 1 tsp garlic)
You could also use 1 160z jar Classico or Bertolli pasta sauce instead of the plain sauce and herbs.
Directions:
If sausage is in casings, remove them. Mix sausage, flour, and cheese together. Roll into 2 in balls. Place on foil lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until cooked through.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions for "al dente" about 1 minute less than box calls for.
Heat sauce and herbs.
Drain pasta, and return to pot. Add sauce to large pot with noodles. Mix well.
Divide into 4 serving bowls and top with meatballs and Parmesan if desired.
Enjoy!
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
2 Pillsbury pie crusts.
4 rome apples, peeled and cored
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
dash cardamon and allspice
3 tbsp cold butter, cut in pieces
2 tbsp sugar, plus more for sprinkling
agave nectar
1 tbsp butter, melted
Directions:
Place one crust in bottom of greased 9" pie pan. In a bowl, mix apples, spices, and sugar. Toss to coat. Place in pie crust. Drizzle agave nectar on top. Place butter on top randomly. Cover with remaining crust. Cut a vent hole. Brush with butter. Sprinkle on sugar. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until crust is golden brown and apples are soft.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream (preferable homemade).
Enjoy!
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