Panini Party

Do-It-Yourself Panini parties are a fun new way to celebrate.

First, you’ll need a panini grill if the location of the party does not have a stove top. They start at $30 and go up from there. You can find them in most kitchen sections of large retail stores. If you do have a stove top, toast over medium heat using a heavy skillet on the sandwich as a weight. When the bread is golden, flip it over and toast the other side.

Then purchase all of grocery store items. Here are three panini recipes.

Turkey Panini (my favorite)
-1 loaf of white or wheat sour dough bread cut into 1/2” slices.
-softened butter
-12 oz of thinly sliced turkey
-1 12 oz container of whipped cream cheese
-1 avocado
-1 container of alfalfa sprouts

Spread butter on one side of the bread and cream cheese on the other. Place the sprouts on top of the cream cheese, followed by the turkey and avocado. Then place the cream cheese side of the bread toward the avocado with butter side facing the grill. Grill until golden brown.
Makes 6 sandwiches

Panini Caprese
-1 loaf white or wheat sourdough bread cut to 1/2” thick slices
-olive oil
-1 small jar of purchased pesto
-18 oz thinly sliced fresh mozzarella
-2 1/4 cup tomatoes, diced
-pinch of red pepper flakes
-3 T. capers, drained
-1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium to high heat. Saute tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and capers for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add vinegar. (this can be done the morning of the party or right before depending on time).
Spread one side of bread with oil and the other side with pesto. Place the cheese and tomato mixture on the pesto side. Top with the other slice of bread, oil side up. Grill until golden brown on both sides.
Makes 6 sandwiched

Chicken Havarti Panini
-1 loaf white or wheat sourdough bread 1/2” thick slices
-12 oz of Chicken
-6 oz of Havarti
-1 jar purchased pesto
-softened butter

Spread butter on one side of bread and pesto on the other. Place chicken and havarti on the pesto side. Top with other slice of bread making sure butter side it up. Grill until golden brown. Makes 6 sandwiches.

Print out recipes on heavy stock paper and place next to ingredients. Make enough recipes so your guests can take some home. Let your guests choose which panini they would like to make. They may even want to make their own unique sandwich.

Photo by: Brett L. on Flickr
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