Chris' Favorite Panini (1)

- 1/2 pear or firm small apple, very thinly sliced
- brie cheese (or, as you'll notice, sharp cheddar is a generally acceptable substitute in our sandwiches, though in this case, it may be too strong. I suggest gruyere otherwise)
- 1/2 t herbs de provence
- red onion, very thinly sliced
- spinach (optional)
- olive oil
- black pepper and salt, to taste
- ww bread (2 slices, thin to medium. Thin enough they toast easily, but thick enough that they don't fall apart. It's a delicate balance)
- tiny drizzle of balsamic vinegar (unless you're Zach or some one else who doesn't want to use it. Just use a few drops though, if you do, because otherwise it will overpower the herbs)

For one sandwich:
Brush one side of bread with olive oil (if you don't have a chef's brush, I suggest using a flexible rubber spatula. It works pretty well). Place oil-side down in heavy cast iron pan (heat on med high). Layer cheese, and sprinkle herbs, salt and pepper. Then add onions (important to add them right next to the cheese so they melt in and don't fall out) and then thinly sliced pear or apple (and spinach and balsamic, if using). Oil the other side of the bread, and make a sandwich. Press down on the sandwich firmly, either with a heavy duty metal spatula, or another clean, heavy item that won't get ruined when it's hot or oily (like another heavy pan). Continue pressing down (or, if you have another heavy pan on top, just leave it) for about 2 minutes (time will vary, depending on your equipment) until the underside is toasty and the cheese is almost melty. Then flip it over and repeat. It won't take as long on the second side, so be careful. It's done when both sides are toasty and cheese is melty. Cut in half and eat with a delicious salad.

Or just use a panini press, you lucky bastard.

Hi from Chris and Zach

So, this is a joint adventure that was Zach's idea. I'm just helping with the process and some sandwiches.

These are delicious sandwiches (and maybe some other stuff) you can prepare yourself with a little time and generally inexpensive ingredients.

Hope you enjoy!

Mediterranean

ingredients

-hummus

-lettuce (romaine is best)

-red onion(sliced thin and sauteed)

-Bell pepper (sliced thin and sauteed)

- cucumber (sliced thin)

- feta

-avocado (again sliced thin)

-Roma tomatoes (guess what sliced thin!)

-good sandwich loaf, preferably a tomato basil or something to that effect

Slice 2 pieces of bread at desired thickness and lightly toast one, spread humus on toasted piece then sprinkle feta. Then layer on the avocado, bell pepper, onion cucumber and lettuce, put the other peice of bread on top and serve with some good chips or apple!

ZGN

Basic Honey and Sharp Grilled Cheese

good sandwich, one of my favorites .

-VERY sharp cheddar, (white cheddar is the only real cheddar) sliced according to how much you like cheddar.

-Honey

-black pepper

-sesame seeds (optional)

-good rustic bread, example Italian peasant bread

Slice 2 pieces of bread just under 1 inch thick and spread with honey on one of the pieces, on the same piece grind small amount of black pepper and sesame seeds. Then place other piece of bread on top (hmm a bit like a sandwich?) then make it into a grilled cheese!, use a cast iron pan on medium-high heat, spray with either a thin layer of butter or olive oil, allow to sit until browned on one side (3-4 minutes) and then flip until sandwich bread is slightly browned and cheese is melty. Serve with pretzels or banana.

ZGN

Breakfast Sandi

- 1 egg

-lettuce

-black and red pepper

-sharp cheddar or Munster cheese

-bacon (or none or vegetarian version)

-ciabatta bread, or any good rustic large loaf bread, but ciabatta is best

Slice the ciabatta into a kind of rectangular normal size sandwich and toast, fry the egg either over hard or over easy, spread butter on one of the pieces of bread then the slices of cheddar, put the fried egg on top of the cheese and sprinkle with black and red pepper. then add the lettuce (if desired). sever with a nice glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and a good cup of coffee or tea.

ZGN