We are in New Jersey right now visiting my family. My sister-in-law Cora introduced us to a new way to eat chocolate for lunch yesterday. I’m always up for making chocolate into a meal, so I was 100% on board!

Cora had recently taken her little girl and my niece Sophie to a cafe called Marigolds. They ordered the Nutella panini off the menu and discovered something quite delicious – a panini made with Nutella and fresh sliced strawberries!

Of course we had to try making it on our own and that’s what we had for lunch yesterday! And before you start thinking it’s all weird that this is an actual sandwich that you can have for lunch (my mom couldn’t quite wrap her brain around it), this is basically a PB&J if you really think about it. Nutella is a hazelnut spread, so that’s just like peanut butter, right? And fresh strawberries are way healthier than sugar-laden jam. So, you know. totally the same and way healthier! (Okay, not totally, but whatever.)

The cafe even served the Nutella panini with homemade potato chips. This is LUNCH, people. I swear!

Whether you agree that this makes a healthy and nutritious lunch or not, I do think you’ll agree it’s delicious. Seriously, DELICIOUS. You’re welcome.

Grilled Nutella and Strawberry Sandwiches

 

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

5 mins

Total time

10 mins

 

As created by my sister-in-law Cora Wallin, inspired by Marigold's in Summit, NJ

Author: Jane Maynard

Ingredients

• Good crusty bread
• Fresh sliced strawberries
• Nutella
• Butter

Instructions

1. Spread Nutella on 2 slices of bread.
2. Layer sliced strawberries on one side then put the sandwich together.
3. Butter the outside of both slices of the sandwich and grill in a pan over medium heat until golden brown (like a grilled cheese sandwich) or cook in a panini maker.

3.3.3070

This morning as I was unpacking the last of the moving boxes, I found stacks and stacks of business cards. It was fun to thumb through them and see names of people that I have since gotten to know much better and, in some cases, formed great friendships with. One of those cards was from Kathy Strahs of Panini Happy and Cooking on the Side. Kathy and I have done a good job of keeping in touch over the years and, in the last 8 months or so, have gotten to know each other very well because we now live near one another! I love Kathy to pieces – she is kind, thoughtful, accomplished and super smart. I love how strategic and savvy she is with everything she does and I always learn so much when I am with her. Kathy is the best!

I am beyond thrilled to share Kathy’s big news with you – her first book The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook is officially on sale today! I received my copy last week and it is beautiful, clear, informative, creative and just plain delicious! (Okay, the book isn’t delicious, but the food you can make with it certainly is!) Kathy’s book starts with a great primer about what to look for in a panini press and what tools and ingredients you need to make the perfect panini. And, of course, the rest of the book is chock-full of recipes!

If you have a panini press, you have to get this book. It is an invaluable resource. If you do not have a panini press, you should still get this book and a panini press while you’re at it! (Kathy is giving one away today if you’d like to try your hand at a free Breville panini press!)

My favorite part of the book (and Kathy’s blog in general) is how she illustrates the versatility of the panini press. She cooks all kinds of things on her press, from breakfast items to ice cream cones to spatchcocked game hens! The book captures this talent of Kathy’s beautifully and it is a great inspiration in the kitchen!

I thought it would be fun to create “The Ultimate Panini Press Weekly Menu” based on Kathy’s book! Here goes!

MONDAY:
– Pulled BBQ Chicken Panini (p. 18) with caramelized onions (p. 19) with coleslaw and chips

TUESDAY:
– Chicken Teriyaki (p. 63) with rice and broccoli

WEDNESDAY:
– Grilled Flank Steak Fajitas (p. 148) with chips and Grilled Tomatillo Guacamole (p. 237)

THURSDAY:
– Crab Melt Panini (p. 170) with Bacon (p. 114) and side salad

FRIDAY:
– Breakfast for Dinner: Grilled French Toast (p. 293) with fresh fruit

SATURDAY:
– Turkey Apple Panini with Fig and Gruyere (p. 50)

SUNDAY:
– Spatchcocked Game Hen (p. 68) with salad and rolls

Pretty impressive, eh? I could have planned a year’s worth of weekly menus based on this book!

If you want to get your hand on Kathy’s book so you can make all these recipes, go buy her book on Amazon!

The giveaway is now closed. Thank you! I also have the opportunity to give away one signed copy of The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook. To enter, please leave a comment on this post before midnight PT on Monday, 9/16. 

Congratulations, Kathy! All of your hard work has paid off – your book is wonderful! Mwah!