I’m famous in my extended family for making simple, easy, quick, meals. I’m not a chef by any stretch of the imagination, so I love to try amazing new recipies that are made in 20 mins or less to add to our meal plans. This one is definitely a Keeper!!
I saw this presented by Giada De Laurentiis on the Food Network and it stuck in my mind. The ingredients are not at all what you would expect, but put together this is a winner to me. Plus it has chocolate so you can’t go wrong there!
Panini with Chocolate and Brie
12 slices sourdough bread
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces Brie cheese, thinly sliced
1 (12-ounce) bag semisweet chocolate chips
1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Directions
Preheat the panini grill.
Brush both sides of the bread with olive oil. Grill the bread slices until they begin to turn golden, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the panini grill and place 2 ounces of cheese on 1 slice of bread (the bottom half), top the cheese with 1/3 cup chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of basil. Top with another slice of bread. Continue with the remaining sandwiches. Return the sandwiches to the panini grill until the chocolate begins to melt, about another 2 minutes.
Cut the sandwiches into 2-inch wide rectangles or small triangles and transfer to a serving platter.
Ah yes, 25! That magical number, that carefree age. I vaguely remember how it felt to be mid-twenty, so fresh and untainted by the world. Now that I’m 30 something, it’s not that easy to be untainted, I find my opinions are getting stronger and my confidence in my abilities are growing with my rising birth number. Yesterday my gorgeous sister-in-law Liz turned 25, I’m excited to report that the birthday girl is far more confident, self assured and on track than I ever was in my early twenties. I’m proud of how Liz has really grown in her roles as wife and mother to her sweet children. I loved her so much when I married into her family, she made me feel welcome in their little circle right away and told me many times how happy she was that I was marrying her brother. But I find I really love her all the more now as I’ve watched her go from teenage girl to beautiful mother. Last night we celebrated her day at Chianti’s and the meal was superb. You know it’s an amazing meal when you want to lick the plate, and truly I wanted to. Had there not been so many people around I likely would have. After dinner we drove to Liz and Kent’s home for some dessert and present opening. Her sweet mini-preggo self looked gorgeous in her new dresses. The highlight for me was being able to visit with them without any little ones tugging at my heels or toppling anything over. We’re talking real grownup mingling. Happy Birthday Liz – you shine!