Panini

You say Panini, I say Press!

I don't know why I just had to say that, it's repeating over and over in my head.  Anyway so as you can guess I made Panini sandwiches tonight for supper.  They were very yummy, but you don't need a fancy machine to do it, you can just use a heavy weight to press your sandwich while it cooks and then flip and repeat.

BACON PANINI with Caramelized Onions and Dijon Mango Chutney

some fried organic and/or natural pasture raised bacon

organic whole wheat bread slices

1 onion, thinly sliced

1/2 Tbsp maple syrup

1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/2 Tbsp olive oil

mango chutney

dijon mustard

organic cheddar cheese, shredded

Method:  Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat.  Saute onion in olive oil for 5 minutes, then lower heat a bit and add the maple syrup and balsamic vinegar.  Cook onions gently for about 15 minutes or until really soft.  Reserve.

     Spread one side of one of the pieces of bread with dijon and the other with mango chutney.  Put some of the shredded cheese on one piece of bread, followed by some of the onions, then bacon and end with more cheese, close er up and spray the outside of the panini with olive oil and cook in a press or in a skillet with a weight.

HEMP SEED MISO PESTO PANINI with Red Peppers and Onion

I make many batches of basil pesto in the summer when the basil is fresh.  It freezes well, and when I need to use some I just cut off a hunk and let it defrost.  

     Ever since I started making pesto with hemp seeds and miso, I've never gone back to the traditional cheese and pine nuts.

HEMP MISO PESTO

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 cup fresh organic basil leaves

1 cup organic hulled hemp seeds

2 cloves organic garlic

2 Tbsp organic white miso paste

2 tsp umeboshi vinegar

water

Method: Transfer all ingredients but the water to a food processor.  Process until the ingredients start to smooth, adding water as necessary to make desired consistency.  Keep in mind pestos are better when slightly thicker and creamier.

THE PANINI

some organic cheese

1 Tbsp pesto

the caramelized onions from above

some thin sliced organic pepper

Method: Spread each slice of bread with pesto, followed by some cheese, the onions, pepper and some more cheese.  Spray the outside of the bread with olive and oil and Press!