Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Torta Panini

I LOVE Trader Joe's. Really. But now I am learning to love some Trader Joe's more than others. La Canada TJ's has the best samples, hands down. I sampled this one last week and knew what dinner was going to be the next night. I made this along with a salad, some fresh strawberries, and Charlie could not stop commenting on how this was the perfect meal.

1 container Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
1 container Genova Pesto
1 container whipped cream chees
Tuscan Pane (or other sourdough type bread)
sliced turkey
sliced Fontina

Mix the top three ingredients and spread on one side of each piece of bread. Add turkey and a slice of fontina. I put it in th broiler for a few minutes and then sliced them up. Perfect.

French Dip Panini

I think I have a new favorite Panini Site ... Panini Happy. I just had a DECLICIOUS French Dip tonight. Served it with some apples and some bubbly. MMmmm MMM.

French Dip Panini

INGREDIENTS:

1 sweet yellow onion, sliced into 1/4″ rings
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper
French bread, thick slices
Mayonnaise or roasted garlic aioli (here’s an easy recipe on Art & Aioli - thanks, Nicole!)
Roast beef, thinly sliced
Gruyère cheese, grated

Au jus (see recipe on For the Love of Cooking)

• 1/2 tsp olive oil
• 1 small shallot, sliced thinly
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 3 -4 cups of beef broth
• 3 tsp bouillon crystals
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season onions with salt and pepper and sauté in the olive oil for 15-20 minutes until caramelized.

Preheat panini grill to medium-high heat (375 degrees).

Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or roasted garlic aioli on a slice of bread. Top with roast beef, onions and cheese. Close the sandwich with another slice of bread. Grill 7-8 minutes until cheese is melted and grill marks appear. Serve immediately with au jus and enjoy!