Chicken, Avocado and Pesto Panini

I love sandwiches. They are so yummy. And there are so many different ways to make them. My wonderful step mom and dad got me a panini press. I LOVE it! It is amazing I tell you! I keep trying to think up new ideas of what I can press between this contraption that instantly makes food wonderful! This sandwich was no disappointment. A soft sandwich roll stuffed with pesto, grilled chicken, tomatoes, cheese and avocado......ahhh yes please. This is one of those recipes where you can make as many or as little as you want!

Ingredients:

high quality bread or soft rolls

sliced mozzarella cheese ( provolone or monterey jack would be great too!)

sliced tomato

cooked chicken breasts, sliced horizontally to make two thin pieces

sliced avocado

pesto, store bought or I have a quick way to make your own (and cut out calories and fat)

1. First lets talk pesto. It is delicious. You can buy premade pesto at your grocery store or make it fresh from a bunch of basil (which is great in the summer when I have basil) or cheat like me and make it THIS way. Buy a packet of KNORR pesto mix. Don't pay any attention to the actual instructions. Get out a small sauce pan and dump the packet right in there. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of water and whisk away. Turn your heat to medium. You will continue to add water until you get to a spreadable consistency. You don't want it super thick or super thin.....somewhere in between. Ok, pesto is done..... lets assemble.

2. Spread both sides of your bread, hogie, or rolls with your yummy pesto. Next, add your chicken, cheese, tomato and avocado. Top with your other half of bread.

3. Place it on your panin press and let it grill. If you don't have a panini press, do not fear. You can simply cook it like a grilled cheese. When you sandwich is cooking place another pan on top of your sandwich to slightly flatten it. A cast iron skillet works great but any pan will do. Just use your muscles to squish it.Then flip it and press again until done.

4. When your sandwich is done cooking, slice it in half and dig in! Serve it with fruit salad, baked chips, or a salad and you will have one tasty meal.

Italian Grilled Cheese

This is a really yummy way to make grilled cheese. There are so many variations for this sandwhich but I LOVE this flavor combonation. This dinner is simple but very satisfing!

Ingredients:  (make for as many sandwichies as you like!)

bread (homemade if possible, so good!)
sliced mozzeralla cheese
sliced tomato
fresh chopped basil

1.  I use homemade bread for this dinner. The bread is so fluffy and gives this sandwhich such great flavor. But a great storebought sourdough would be delicous. Just butter both outsides of your bread and place cheese on the inside. Sprinkle with basil and put it on the hot pan. Give it a few minutes and flip it!

Now we do this a bit different. I grill the sandwhich with just cheese first. As SOON as I take the sandwhich off the heat, I quickly open the sandwhich and place the tomoato slices on one side of the bread and then close it.  This way there is cheese on both sides and you don't have tomaotes falling out when you flip it.

2. So easy! Add some fruit and veggies and dinner is served!

Chicken Caesar Sandwhiches

I love sandwiches and burgers. They are so comforting and yummy. They always taste delicious with homemade french fries and fruit salad. This sandwich was right up there with all the deliciousness that it was. It has all the flavor of a yummy chicken Caesar salad....on a bun. So good and really really quick!



Ingredients: (yield 4 adults)

4 chicken breasts
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
salt
pepper
fat free Caesar dressing
romaine lettuce
4 toasted buns
extras for toppings: sliced tomato
sliced olives

1. First lets cook the chicken. Salt and pepper each side of the chicken breasts. Cook them over medium/high heat in a bit if olive oil in non-stick skillet until cooked through.
2. While the chicken is cooking, it is time to make the sauce. In a medium sized saucepan pour about 1/2 of your dressing (I know, super technical measuring here) and add the grated cheese. Stir that all together and keep on low heat to keep warm until your chicken is cooked. Once your chicken is cooked through, remove and shred. Add all your shredded chicken to your sauce. Stir in all together...yum.
3.Now at this point you can add more dressing if you like your chicken extra saucy. If you want to thin is our a bit add a touch of water. It's all up to you and your preference. You just want it all warm and mixed.
4. Ok, no toast your buns and add whatever toppings you like. I like mine with lettuce, sliced tomato, and sliced olives.
* add some fruit and homemade fries and you are set!

New Arrival!

Well after 9 long months our sweet baby Olivia is here!! I am beyond thrilled and so happy to have another girl, now we have 3!! I have been saving up pictures and recipes to share so hopefully I won't fall behind, but I know that after we get back into the swing of things this blog will be hoppin'! So here is a pic of the cutest babe and a quick recipe to make on the next sunny day you have!!


Cranberry-Orange Chicken Salad Sammies(from Our Best Bites)




Ingredients:

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped into bite size
1 cup celery
1/3 cup chopped green onions
Zest of 1 medium orange
1/2 cup craisens
1/2 cup light mayo
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard or coarse grain mustard
2 tablespoons jellied cranberry sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Croissants or rolls
lettuce leaves

1. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, celery, green onions, orange zest and craisins.
2. In a separate, smaller bowl whisk together mayo, mustard, cranberry sauce, salt and black pepper. Add the chicken mixture and toss to fully combine. *This salad is best if refrigerated for several hours before serving.
3. Just before serving, add the toasted pecans/walnuts. Serve on toasted buns (with a touch more mayo if desired)and with a leaf of lettuce.

* Combine this with fruit salad and some veggies for dipping and you are set!

Carolina Shredded Chicken

This is a great summer sandwich and would be perfect for a 4th of July BBQ! It is really easy and comes together quick! It was a big hit and made enough to feed my whole family and more!! Try it, you will definitely eat it up!



Ingredients:

Chicken:
6 boneless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.)
1/2 teaspoon season salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2/3 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard (I always add more, I love mustard)
6 whole wheat sandwich buns

1. Heat grill to medium-high heat or if you are not grilling heat a large non-stick skillet to med-high heat.
2. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with season salt and paprika. When grill or pan is ready place chicken on. Cook for about 9 minutes then turn and cook for an additional 9 minutes or until cooked through.
3.Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Heat oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook 5 minutes. Stir in vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, and mustard. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
4. Remove chicken from grill or pan and allow to cool slightly. With 2 forks or your hands, shred meat. Add the chicken to the sauce and heat through. Divide chicken evenly among buns. Serve with corn and the cob, watermelon, coleslaw, any fresh fruit salad or a green salad and you are set! Enjoy!

Sloppy Joe Di Maggios

My sister told me about the Rachel Ray recipe and it was a hit! Everyone loved this twist on a classic sandwich. Perfect for feeding a hungry family or sharing at a summer bbq!



Ingredietns:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds lean ground turkey
1 packages turkey hot dogs, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon steak seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)
1 tablespoon chili powder
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (14.5-ounce) can tomato sauce (I would recommend adding another 1/2 to 1 can more of tomoato sauce for a good saucy sammy)
9 soft whole grain burger rolls, toasted

1.Heat the extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat and crumble as it browns. Add chopped hot dogs after 3 to 4 minutes then cook 3 to 4 minutes more.
2. Add the onions to the pan and cook to soften, 5 to 6 minutes more. In a bowl mix the spices, sugar, Worcestershire and tomato sauce. Pour sauce over the meat and simmer a few minutes to combine flavors. At this point you could deciede if you wanted to add more sauce. If so, just open a can and satrt pouring until the right consistancy for you! Slop onto toasted buns and serve.

Yumm! So fast right? Yeah it will take a whole 20 minutes. Here are some side dishes you could add to finish this meal: coleslaw, salad, watermellon, corn on the cob, fresh veggies and dip, fruit salad..... Whatever you like! ENJOY!!

Moons over my Hammy (100th post!) and a Giveaway!!

Wow!! Next week is my first blogiversary! Yeah,this has been so much fun and such a great challenge for me. I love to cook so this is a great excuse for me to make lots of yummy food! In honor of 1 year of cooking I am going to give stuff away! I put together some fun kitchen stuff and if you want to win it, all you have to do is comment and tell me your favorite recipe on this blog. Then on March 21st I will announce the winner!

Ok, what we have here is: the best and most fun of all cupcake cook books! I love it and have used it a bunch! Perfect for parties.... believe me everyone wants this! Next, a citrus peeler, a Y peeler (love it), cute measuring cups, and a magnetic notepad for the fridge. I will throw in some yummy chocolate too! Fun, right?

Well today is my 100th recipe and post! I can't believe it. This came from my amazing sister and it was so good and easy! Yep, we like easy and quick. This will remind you of eating breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a yummy diner.



Ingredients: (this made 2 adult sammies)

loaf of sourdough bread
6 eggs (more for more sammies)
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 slices American cheese
sliced ham (lunch meat or deli meat)

1. First, you are going to make plain omelets for the egg part of the sammy. I use one egg, and two whites for each omelet and a little salt and pepper. You can add spices if you want, but really good this way. Set those aside.

2. Next, heat your skillet to medium heat and spray 2 pieces of sourdough with spray butter. We are going to do some layering. Ok, on the skillet: bread, then put 2 slices of Swiss cheese on one side, next egg omelet, 2-3 slices of ham, 2 slices of American cheese and then top with the other piece of bread. Basically it is a glorified grilled cheese. It is truly glorious.

3. Cook until golden brown, flip, cook and then enjoy! Really that is all there is to it. Add some homemade fries or potato wedges and applesauce and dinner is served!

* Don't forget to enter the giveaway!! Happy cooking!

Monte Cristos Sandwiches

Holy cow these were sooo good!!! I can't believe how fast I gobbled it up. No kidding, I was done first! And then wished that I had made more! The combination of flavors is amazing! Will change the way you look at french toast!!



Ingredients:

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2-3 drops vanilla
1 cup low fat milk
2-3 pinches ground nutmeg
10 slices of french or sourdough bread
5 tablespoons apricot jam
1 apple cut in thin slices
5 slices of ham (lunch meat or from deli)
5-6 slices of cheddar cheese (we only had mozzarella and it was delish)

1. Beat eggs 2-3 minutes with mixer. Add the sugar and continue to beat. Add cornstarch and vanilla and beat in. When well mixed add milk and nutmeg and you got it, beat it again.

2. Pour 1/8 inch batter into a 9x13 pan. Spread 5 slices of bread with a tablespoon each of apricot jam. Set them in dish jam side up. Then top each with 2-3 slices of apple, a slice or 2 of ham and a thin slice of cheese. Top each sammie with other piece of bread. Pour the rest of the batter over the top of sandwiches. Lift each sandwich out and set on a plate to keep from getting soggy. (unless you have a griddle, you can just move them straight to the griddle and fry up all at once).

3. Fry each sandwich on a lightly greased non-stick skillet over medium heat until golden on each side. (I fit 2 on a pan at one time). Keep sandwiches warm in a 150 degree oven until ready to eat. Cut in half and dig in!! SO good! We had these babies with homemade potato fries and yogurt/berry smoothies, you have yourself a healthy delicious meal!!

Melty Meatball Sammies

These are always a request by my husband and they are really good!! I love sammies, because you can make a million different combos, but this one is great! Perfect if you have left over meatballs, but if you don't have any they come together in no time!! SO GOOD!

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. ground turkey (makes about 3 sammies, double for more!)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 cup bread crumbs

handful of Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped onion ( I grate it because Rex isn't a huge fan of onion chunks)

a squeeze of ketchup

salt and pepper

1/2 cup pasta sauce, whatever you have in the fridge

a loaf of french bread, sliced into long sandwich pieces

mozzarella cheese

parsley

1. Make the meatballs: mix meat, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic powder, parm cheese, ketchup and a bit of salt and pepper in a bowl. Using a little cookie scoop, scoop out balls and place on a foil lined cookie sheet, sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 450 for about 12 min.

2. While they are cooking, cut bread and spread each slice with some pasta sauce (don't use all of it we need a little more for later!) When the meatballs are done toss them in a bowl with remaining pasta sauce. You can make them as saucy as you like!

3. Cut each ball in half and place on bread. Top with mozzarella cheese and pop under the broiler for a few minutes. Sprinkle with parsley and you are ready to eat!! I pair these sandwiches with salad or broccoli and you are set! Enjoy!

Breakfast Pizza Sammies

I made this up one morning when I wanted to make Rex a nice hot breakfast. We had loads of pizza toppings left over from pizza the night before so I whipped up an egg and came up with this! Add some potato wedges/hash browns, and fruit, and breakfast or dinner is served! Quick, healthy, and warm in your belly!

(this made one, but you can make as many as you want!)

Ingredients:

Slice(s) of bread

Pizza sauce or pasta sauce

shredded mozzarella cheese

pizza fixings: pepperoni, Canadian bacon, sausage,

veggies, olives... whatever is in the fridge!

Egg(s)

parsley to taste

1. Push your toast down in the toaster and prepare the rest while it is toasting! Cook your egg anyway you like it, scrabbled or over easy.

2. When your toast it done, spread a spoonful of sauce on your bread. Next, sprinkle it with cheese. Top with warmed meats and veggies. ( I just popped my leftovers in the microwave for 10 seconds). Carefully place your egg on top . Sprinkle with chopped parsley and dig in!

* We love breakfast for dinner, so this is going to become a regular around here!

Sloppy Sloppy Joe's

Ok, another quick fast dinner that any hubby or kiddie will love! You add a can of soup that gives the BEST flavor and is healthy too!! Definitely a go-to meal around here! Try it, you will love it!

(sorry, there are always toys in the background :)

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey or lean ground beef

1 can (10.75 oz) chicken gumbo soup, condensed

1/2 cup ketchup

1/8 cup mustard ( regular or spicy brown is best)

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 (8oz.) can tomato sauce

2 tablespoons Worcestershire

hamburger buns or rolls (for homemade click here)

1. Brown meat and cook onions together. Drain and add remaining ingredients, except buns :) Let simmer 15-20 minutes until nice and thick.

2. Serve over buns with a green veggie! See, super easy!