[frontega chicken panini]

Frontega Chicken @ Panera

We used to get this sandwich at Panera - but then they changed their bread so it didn't taste like foccacia bread, but cardboard... so we've missed it.  Now we have the panini maker and I thought I'd give it a shot and as Ben said "Nailed It!"  We're happily basking in the afterglow of a full meal, so I better write this down before I forget what I created...

Chipotle Mayo: (eyeball these amounts)

1/4 cup mayo

1 tsp ground chipotle

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried rosemary

Mix together and adjust to personal taste - cover and place in fridge until ready to use.

2 chicken breasts

3 slices mozzarella

red onion 

foccacia round - about 8" (our local Target sells these rounds that have Parmesan and tomatoes on top -we use that)

Salt and pepper

Olive Oil

In a large skillet, heat about 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium high heat.

Pound chicken breasts to about 1/2 or 1/4" thickness.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and place in hot skillet.  Flip chicken when side is golden brown.  Prepare a large square of aluminum foil.  When both sides of chicken are golden brown - place on foil and wrap tightly in a foil "purse".  (Note - this means carefully fold the foil so the chicken is well wrapped, but not crushed.  Don't grab the foil and just mush it up - fold it!)  Let the chicken sit for 20 minutes.  

Slice the red onion into very thin slices (you'll need about 6 thin slices of onion, use all of it except the very middle - you want all the circles from each slice).  Set aside.

Cut the foccacia (so you have a top and bottom).

Once the chicken has rested for 20 minutes, remove it from the foil and slice into 1/4" thick strips.  Get the mayo and slather about 1/3 of it onto the bottom piece of the foccacia.  Layer the two chicken breasts, now in strips, on top of the mayo.  Spread out the onion on top of the chicken, try to make it evenly distributed.  Place 3 slices of mozzarella on the chicken.  Slather the top foccacia piece with the rest of the mayo and place on the mozzarella.  Place in a panini maker until cheese is melted.

[chicken pesto paninis]

Hello New Best Friend: GDL Panini Maker

The panini makers we kept passing at Target were calling my name - so I finally caved in and bought it - and it was one of the best decisions ever.  Panini makers look like a stupid device, but once you realize how awesome sandwiches are with it - the whole world looks new again.

Ingredients:

Focaccia bread (our Target also sells these 10" focaccia rounds - they're awesome)

2 chicken breasts

6 strips bacon

3 slices provolone cheese

pre-made pesto

olive oil

salt and pepper

panini maker!

Pound chicken to 1/2 inch thickness between saran wrap.  Heat about 1 Tbsp Olive Oil in a skillet.  Season each side of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place in the hot skillet.  Cook on each side until golden brown, about 4 minutes.  Transfer browned chicken breasts to a large piece of foil and tightly wrap the chicken in a "foil purse".  Let the chicken rest (tightly wrapped up), while you make the bacon.  

Heat oven to 375 and bake bacon in a pyrex pan for 20 minutes, or until crispy.  Remove from pan and drain on paper towels.  

Cut focaccia in half and spread the top and bottom with pesto.  Set aside.  

Remove the chicken from the foil and cut into strips.  (It should look like those chicken strips you can buy at the grocery store - about 1/2 inch thick, as long as the chicken breast).  On the top half of the foccacia bread - place the following items in this order: 3 slices provolone cheese evening spread out, 6 slices of cooked bacon, chicken slices.  Place the bottom focaccia half on the chicken and heat your panini maker.  Grill the sandwich (right side up - it should be easy to flip), until golden brown marks appear.  (About 5 mintues).  Cut and enjoy.

[italian club sandwiches]

Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis

8" Foccacia Round (we get them from Target with tomatoes and asiago cheese on top)

Packaged pesto

cooked bacon, 5 slices

Deli Sliced Turkey, 3 slices

Provolone Cheese, 3 slices

Sandwiches:
Cut foccacia bread in half and grill cut size up in a broiler, or place in panini maker and grill until warm
Spread pesto thinly on bottom and top cut halves

Add 5 slices of bacon
Add thinly sliced turkey
Add provolone cheese
Top with the top half of the Foccacia

(If you have a panini maker, place the entire assembled sandwich back into the panini maker and cook until bread is crispy and cheese is melting.)

Cut and serve immediately or chill until ready to eat.

(We usually eat a sandwich immediately, then save any leftovers for the week ahead)