Panini Party: Winter Edition
The Super Bowl. Everywhere I turn people seem to be chattering on about it. I have to admit, I could not care less about the Big Game. Are you still reading? Or have you furiously slammed your laptop closed at that blasphemous statement? Okay good, you’re still with me. I have absolutely no clue who is even playing, but I’m pretty sure it’s football. On the upside, I’m all for any occasion to get together with friends and eat. And I always loved those Budweiser commercials with the Clydesdale horses. Do they still run those commercials for the Super Bowl?
Although I’ll probably take the girls swimming, or bake cookies, or do something a toddler and preschooler would find more enjoyable than football this Sunday, I thought this the perfect time to share one of my favorite easy dinner “recipes” – Panini Party night. It would be great Super Bowl fare.
The secret is that everyone creates their own panini and therefore everyone is happy. A panini bar is made by assembling ingredients on a platter with a loaf of sliced bread. I even have B (4) make her sandwich and then I grill it for her. It’s a big step up from the average grilled cheese, but still very little work, and some veggies can even be sneaked in. Great for busy nights and for cheering soccer tennis football fans. What are your plans for this weekend? Are you making anything special for the game?
Marina’s Panini: fig jam, pears, white cheddar, arugula.
Our panini bar was filled with winter ingredients: pears, avocados, prosciutto, sage, fig jam, arugula, onions, and white cheddar. In the summer I would use tomato, basil, zucchini…
Extra fillings? Use them to top a salad.
Panini “Recipe”
Sliced bread
sliced cheese
vegetables
pesto, fig jam, etc. (optional)
Assemble sandwich. Heat grill pan over medium heat, or heat a panini maker if you have one. Brush outsides of bread with olive oil. Grill until panini has golden brown grill marks and cheese has melted.
Go…… Team!
That looks delicious! Paninis are one of my favorites. I like your idea of using avocado. Why have I not thought of that before? 🙂
I'm DYING right now for THAT.
Those look perfect!! We have a Panini maker but every time I attempt to make a sandwich it turns out horrible! I will try your how- to and recipe 🙂
Beautiful! There's something about grilling a sandwich that just elevates it to a new level.
Now this is my kind of party!!!! YUM with a capital Y.
so wonderful flavors…..deep sigh! Absolutely delish!
oh yum, love the combination of ingredients.
Oh this is a wonderful idea! Looks delicious!
Living in Boston there is no escaping The Game! But this gorgeous spread could make it all worthwhile :). Love your ideas!
I'm feeling about the same way about the “big game”…now tennis….that is an entirely different story. 😮
I could eat a panini for breakfast, lunch AND dinner. They look delish!
food is usually an afterthought for me on super bowl sunday. i ADORE football. the saddest part of the whole day is that it is the last game of the year. your sandwich sounds pretty dang good though.
my plan is to grill veggie burgers and serve them with my own fig marmalade, onions sauteed in balsamic vinegar, and a spicy mustard. french fries of course and a bud light. i'm telling you…i really know how to live.:)
I love the idea of a Panini Party. I am such a sandwich person. I don't plan on watching the Super Bowl, but I will make snacks, appetizers and bake. I can see the tv from my kitchen, so I'll catch some of the commercials, there the best part.
Finally someone said it! I have been looking at all of my favorite food blogs and I enjoy the food hype that goes along with the Super Bowl, but as far as I'm concerned, the food is the best part about SB Sunday. Your paninis look very tastey and the fig jam sounds mouth watering. From one woman who is ambivalent about the Super Bowl to another, I'm sending you a high five. Keep up the great work!
I love the fact that everyone is making their own panini. Great idea for a party. WE are not football fans, we will watch one of the soccer games and enjoy some great food. My panini would be with roasted eggplants, sundried tomatoes, some herbs and cheese. I really need to get a panini press from Williams Sonoma…
So fantastic, Marina! I love 'bars' where you can make your own breakfast, tacos or pizza, but never thought of this! Makes having a group over very easy! I'm thinking bookclub vs. football.
Marina,
Thank you for this…we love panini and I'm always trying to come up with new ideas for the filling. I will be making these for dinner tonight…and I'm with you, don't care about the game but love the commercials.
Karen
Such a fantastic idea Marina!! I love the idea of a panini bar where everyone can make their own. We've done something similar with pizza….but this seems like a little less work which is always a good thing 🙂
Lovely photos too!
XO – Marion
This is my kind of party!! Love it!
What a great idea! I just got a pnanini grill for Christmas…so fun! I don't care about the game either, but I'll have fun keeping the buffet fresh and full! ha.
The food is beautiful in the pictures. That would be delicious for superbowl – something a little different.
This looks heavenly! I know we would love it at my house!
Absolutely love paninis and this one looks great! Again, your photos are gorgeous! Have a great weekend:)
These photos are gorgeous as always. These paninis look to die for!
I love panini sandwiches. We have them often in our house because they are an easy & yummy dinner for those busy weeknights where the kids and I are not getting home till 6:00. You can throw just about anything in them and they taste wonderful.
I am not a fan of the Super Bowl either. I'm actually taking my daughter to the city on Sunday to shop for her cotillion dress as I know downtown SF will be quiet with the Super Bowl on.
Have a great non Super Bowl related Sunday!
Wait, you had a panini party and I did not get invited. Hmmm, I'm crushed!
Love me some paninis , the possibilities are endless!
awww those are good! we also having alot of panini at home 🙂
take care. xoxo, Haus of Gala
panini party has the sweetest ring to it, you lovely blogger!
holy yum. there's a game this weekend? who knew? i am up to my ears in painting projects around the house so it will def be chinese takeout–shhhhhhh.
michele
What a fun and tasty party!
I love the idea of having a panini party! Sooooo cute! 🙂
I love paninis! I eat them pretty much every week after practice, before I go to my baking lessons.
This is one of our favorite party ideas. We have done it for showers and family parties. People just love it. I tried taking photos once but was really in too much of a rush and so it wasn't “blogworthy” as we say! Your is beautiful and mouthwatering as always. I would recommend it highly. I always joke that you can put rocks between bread and put it in a panini maker and it would be delicious.
Such a cute idea! Anything with fig jam sounds good to moi!
Your blog is the sweetest thing. I´m following you since now. Is amazing 😀
I can easily eat a panini every single day and love your elegant panini creations!
Delish! Love this idea of a panini party especially since my husband is beyond obsessed with his sandwiches! He thinks he is the sandwich king:)
Fig jam is not something I had thought of, but it's definitely on my radar now. Thanks!
That looks amazing! I'll have to get my panini maker out as it's been a while since I have used it. Love your blog.
Love this combination-Yum!
Look at all these scrumptious paninis! What a delicious idea. Yum!
Love paninis…
Marina, you have the best recipes! And photos. I am so impressed every single time I come over to your blog.
Wow, what a beautiful blog. Love the photos…yum!
By the way, I am your newest follower! http://www.mommyhoodbyjess.com/
Yum! These look amazing. I do love bread.
Your food always looks so fresh and tasty!!
Absolutely love this idea, Marina! Perfect for a winter party or just a lazy afternoon!