Best ever panini

Bread (a word about bread later)
Nutella
Butter

The bread should be the good kind that you get from the bakery in your grocery store. I prefer Ciabatta or a round Italian loaf. I like to have the bakery slice it for me. butter the outsides of 2 slices of bread. Spread the Nutella on the inside pieces. Heat your Panini pan or skillet. if you don't have a panini press, then place a brick covered in aluminum or a smaller heavy pan on top of the sandwich to weigh it down. Repeat on the other side. This is one of the best things ever. My kids love when I ask if they want a grilled chocolate sandwich.

Turkey Noodle Bake

2 cups chopped turkey
1/2 pkg of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup of sweat peas
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 small package of Parmesan cheese (or any Italian cheese mix)
1 pkg of egg noodles

Prepare noodles according to package. Mix turkey, cream cheese, peas, and soup. When noodles are done, put into casserole dish and add mixture. Mix well. Top with cheese. Cook on 350' until heated through and cheese is melted.

Black Bean Tortillas

1 TBL olive oil
2 small Jalapenos finely diced
1/4 cup bell pepper finely diced
1/4 cup onion finely diced
2 cans of black beans drained
1 8 oz pkg of cream cheese at room temperature
2 TBL chopped cilantro
Tortillas

Saute jalapenos, peppers, and onions in Olive oil until translucent. Add beans, and cream cheese. Cook over med heat until cream cheese melts and is mixed thoroughly. Remove from heat, mix in cilantro. Heat tortillas. Fill tortillas and enjoy.

BBQ Pot Roast

1 rib roast
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup worcestershire sauce
1 pkg of button mushrooms - quartered
1 med onion - diced
1 small bag (1 lb) of baby carrots
Rice


Add first 6 ingredients to a slow cooker. Set on low for approximately 6 hours, until meat is fork tender. Serve over rice.

Creamy Mushroom Chicken

4-6 Chicken thighs

1 8 oz pkg of mushrooms - thickly sliced

1 garlic clove - minced

1 cup wine

extra virgin olive oil

2 Tbl fresh parsley

1/2 tsp celery seed

2 Tbl dijon mustard

4 oz cream cheese

1 pint whipping cream

1 Tbl butter

Heat oven to 350'. Generously season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat about 1 Tbl olive oil in oven proof skillet. Brown chicken on both sides. Bake in oven until chicken is done throughout. Remove chicken from pan and set aside. Saute garlic and mushrooms. Add wine and deglaze pan. Cook until reduced in half. Add celery seed, dijon, cream, and cream cheese. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Cook for 3 minutes more. Add parsley and chicken. Turn off heat, let sit for 5 minutes. Add butter, mix once it melts. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve over noodles. I used Spaetzle.

A word about the testers/tasters

I will be adding comments to all the recipes, good or bad. The maximum will be 4 thumbs up (unless we have company). Ella is somewhat picky. She is a visual eater, so if it doesn't look good, she doesn't like it. She will usually try it, but even if she likes it, she won't admit it. I'm not sure where she gets that from. LOL. So, 3 kids and myself = 4 thumbs. We also have a new kitten that hasn't quite learned the rule about staying off the table. So, on occasion, I may include him in the rating.

If anyone tries any of my recipes, I would love some feedback.

Ham and Cheese Grit casserole

Ingredients:

4 Cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 Cup quick cooking grits
2 Cups diced ham
1 Cup cheese (any kind, I used a cheddar/montery blend)
3 Tbl butter
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
dash tobasco
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 350'

Directions:
Combine water, salt, and pepper in a large saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce temperature, slowly stir in grits. Cover and simmer, stirrin frequently, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in ham, cheese, butter, Worcestershire, and Tobasco. Temper the eggs, then add to the mixture. Stir to combine. Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish approximately 9 x 12. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.

Makes about 4 servings.