You can continue to enter my Decadent Indulgence Contest through this Friday, at midnight Pacific time. Prizes include a Breville Panini Press and a Decadent Indulgence sex toy. They add up to a combined dollar value of over $250! To enter, please click here.
Well, the contest seems to be off to a good start. Thank you for participating and I wish the best of luck to each and every one of you! Remember, you may enter as many times as you like. Obviously, your odds of winning increase the more times you enter.
A few of you sent me emails saying you already have a panini press but would like the sex toy, or you have enough sex toys ** snicker ** but would love a panini press. You can always use one of the items as a gift if you want.
I'll be honest, all this talk of good food and great sex has really been on my mind. I can't help you out with the sex part, so I thought I'd give you a few tips on making the best-ever panini sandwich today instead.
If you're on a New Year's diet you can modify the following with whole grain bread and low fat fillers and spreads!
Panini Tips (Sounds kind of dirty doesn't it?)
Use the freshest, best, sourdough bread you can find. Foccacia and ciabatta are also great options.
Optional: Fire roasted peppers are traditional on a panini, but not everyone likes them.
Fresh basil can be the key to taking your panini above and beyond an ordinary sandwich.
Use an assortment of thinly sliced sandwich meats to give your sandwich a more interesting flavor. My family's favorite paninis include genoa salami, turkey, prosciutto, pepperoni, ham and a little cappocolla.
Tomato, onion, avocado, and pepperoncini are all great options. Lettuce just becomes limp when heated, I don't recommend it. We wouldn't want limp, now would we?
(What is WRONG with me today? It must be the giveaway ... or something.)
Provolone and/or mozzarella cheese both melt nicely, but any cheese you like is fine.
Mincing a clove of garlic and mixing it in with some mayo makes a great, flavorful, spread.
To give the bread a great color and the perfect crispiness, brush the outside of both pieces of bread very lightly with olive oil prior to putting the sandwich in your press. This is the KEY to a perfect panini!
Toast the sandwich in your pre-heated panini press for 5-8 minutes depending on its thickness. You should end up with a nicely browned, crispy panini. When you bite into it your tastebuds will explode at the combination of flavors. The gooey melted cheese inside will send you over the top.
Are you hungry now?
You can still enter my contest to win a panini maker and a sex toy!
Did you seriously get 228 comments (so far) for a panini press & a giant vibrator??? Wow...I'm gonna have to think about a giveaway! Considering all the crap I have in my garage...I'm SURE I can think of something to hand out! LOL
Posted by: alntv | January 14, 2009 at 05:34 AM
I'm starving and since I've won all of one contest in my entire life, I won't be betting on winning yours.
So I'm buying a panini press this weekend. There simply is no other choice.
*drool*
Posted by: Jan | January 14, 2009 at 06:03 AM
Yum!
Posted by: EricaB | January 14, 2009 at 06:24 AM
Oh, now I want a panini for breakfast.
Posted by: phhhst | January 14, 2009 at 06:39 AM
good lord, this is just too much effort for me!!! those were like 6 different kinds of meat you just listed. my brain is fizzing. all i know is how to order from panera!!!! hats off to you, my friend!
Posted by: Lo | January 14, 2009 at 06:50 AM
Yum, panini-making sounds delicious. We have them occassionally at school. I love salami and genoa ham. So good!
Haha, I wish the contest was over today, I'm gonna run out of comments...
Posted by: emmysuh | January 14, 2009 at 07:01 AM
You just made me really hungry.
And with 246 entries so far, I know I will never win. This is like playing the lottery.
Posted by: Jason | January 14, 2009 at 07:22 AM
I've only had microwave paninis. I bet those suck compared to yours.
Posted by: Lump | January 14, 2009 at 08:15 AM
No fair tempting us with panini recipes before we know if we've won the press!
(PS: I feel so greedy entering your giveaway when I've already won one here before... Let me know if that's a no-no, and I'll kindly bow out.)
Posted by: Kristan | January 14, 2009 at 08:22 AM
My boyfriend just bought a panani maker and we are searching the web for some yummy receipes that dont seem too hard to make! : )
Posted by: Sarah | January 14, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Great panini tips! Any chance you'll post hints & tips for use of the Rabbit? It's been many decades since I used a toy, and it certainly wasn't anywhere near as fancy as that!
Posted by: Liz C | January 14, 2009 at 10:58 AM
(sigh) This is when I miss wheat...
Sourdough. Yummers. It has been years...
Be well, 24.
Posted by: mama llama | January 14, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Now we just need a recipe for the other part of the giveaway. ;)
Posted by: shonda | January 14, 2009 at 07:56 PM