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!
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
I’ve been using Kathy’s recipes for a while and they are quite good. The turkey apple panini you use on Saturday is very, very good.
Panini addict (:
I think my husband would love me even more if I started making him paninis. The grilled flank steak one sounds particularly amazing.
Mmmm, panini’s…excuse me while I drool from afar:)
They all sound so yummy!!!
We bought a panini press a few months ago. I swear my husband would use it every single day. We could stand a bit more inspiration for sandwich recipes. Thanks!
Yes please! Who doesn’t love a panini?!
Would LOVE to check this out — thanks!
Seeing as I made paninis for dinner tonight with my waffle iron I should really read this book and then buy a panini press. Embarrassing to admit I know, but they were tasty despite their waffle shape. Which my kids thought was actually impressive. I’m rambling. I hope I win.
This looks great, would love to try it!
These all sound great
This looks so yummy! I already have a panini press so this book would be perfect!
I have wanted a panini press for so long – this book would definitely get me to splurge on one!
This would definitely be a great excuse to buy a panini press!
My family would LOVE these recipes. We love our panini press but I don’t use it often enough. Thank you for all of the wonderful recipes!
Ooh!! How fun to win a cookbook! I bought a panini press and am stumped on what to make with it. I need inspiration!
Since I recently got the Breville Smart Grill, I’m looking for as many panini recipes as I can get, great looking cookboook!
I could eat panini’s every day for the rest of my life!
This book looks great! I love my panini press, but I just keep doing the same things with it. Thanks for the giveaway.
This looks great! This would definitely make my life a bit easier…
My favorite panini is the Cuban Medianoche!
I would love to win this cookbook
Those recipes sound tasty! I feel inspired to go panini press shopping.
I love the sound of flank steak fajitas, that sounds so delicious! Thank you for this giveaway, I love your site as well.
Thanks so much Jane ! what a great giveaway 🙂 I adore your blog _ Alexandra
My husband loves warm sandwiches so much, we call them grillers for some reason but now I am curious as to all the other things she does with the press!
I love paninis. There’s something about the crunchy outside and soft inside of the bread that is just delish.
I love paninis & Kathy’s blog, too – so much goodness!
Wow, what a great cookbook! I’d love enter the panini making world!
Looks like a great book, lots of delicious combinations! Thanks for the chance 🙂
ALL those recipes sound delicious!!
i have wanted one of those for sooooo very long!
My kids and husband love panini’s and I have found I can slip in different kids of ingredients and they don’t even know it. I would love this book for lots of fresh recipes!!
This looks awesome! I’d love to win her book and expand my one measly panini recipe! 🙂
These sound so amazing… Im going to have to go buy a panini press!
I really want to get into panini making 🙂
I adore panini sandwiches! Would love to make new combinations from this cookbook. The recipes sound great!
Always looking for new combinations. Went to Barnes & Noble to check it out & was told it was out of stock…I’m thinking they didn’t get it in yet…disappointed.
My favorite meal is a sandwich! Squished! Sign me up- please
Sweet! I have melty sandwiches on the list for Friday so this would help for sure.
Those peaches look delicious.
Yes, please!
This looks like a great cookbook thank you
Aren’t paninis wonderful?!! My family and I would just LOVE some new ways to make them! Thanks for the opportunity to get this book. 🙂
I love love paninis… I make them with my cast iron skillet and the other skillet on top. But, I would love to have one, get one or at lest own a cookbook to widen our menu!
LOVE paninis! Hope I win because the recipes look amazing.
I love paninnis they make your grilled cheese evrn better.
Me! Pick me! 🙂
I received a press for Christmas…and this book is just what I need to get me using it!!
Looks and sounds fabulous!
I LOVE panini’s. Wish I could get my kids to see them as more than just a sandwhich
Panini’s are a great way to “dress up” a favorite sandwich – I’d love to add this lovely book to my collection of much-loved favorites!
My boyfriend and I just moved in with each other. One night I got out my press and he asked what I was doing with his grill.( this just shows you how much time he spends in the kitchen, his Grill is outside.) So I smiled and made him his first Panini:) He love it!! We would love some new ideas!!! Oh he’s getting good at making his own;)
I have always loved eating paninis but never tried them at home, thanks for the chance, just love how crunchy the toasted shell is! 😀
I love your site, for all the dinner ideas and the fun posts, and I love panini sandwiches :). I had not thought about using the panini press for other things, but certainly open to trying something new. Thanks for offering the give-away!
That menu of yours looks fantastic! That cookbook sounds amazing– thanks for sharing.
Recently, while on vacation, our family got on a panini kick from a nearby restaurant. We decided we should try to make them at home so I’m very excited to know about this book!
i don’t use my panini press nearly enough! this cookbook would be amazing to have 🙂
I love paninis! !
I would love to win a copy of this book! 🙂
I’d love to win!
I love cook books! And I love paninis! Looks yummy!
This book sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win!
How fun! I’m always looking for new food inspiration!
Recently, while on vacation, our family got on a panini kick from a nearby restaurant. We decided we should try to make them at home so I’m very excited to know about this book!
looks excellent! we don’t have a panini press, but i have to imagine my little ones would love to try.
I’d love to win this cookbook!
Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to win! And thank you again Jane for a fantastic blog. I don’t read often, but turn to you first in desperation at 5:30pm and I have no plan.
We love paninis and use our press all the time. This look right up our alley.
I love paninis!
Bread and cheese…what could be better?!!?
yummmm paninis!
Have the panini press…would love the book!
My friend LeAnn has a panini press. Maybe if I won this cookbook for her, she would invite me to dinner. Or I could buy a panini press and invite her & her husband to my place. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
My husband and I love to make panini’s and we are always looking for new recipes to try!
I looove my panini press! Always trying new sandwiches with it.
Mmmm. Now I’m hungry after reading they menu.