For many families, Sunday nights are traditionally the time for a big meal. Whenever my parents and I went to my grandparents’ home for dinner, the table was laid with roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, potatoes, and vegetables. As much as we looked forward to those meals, we were just as happy with the Sunday dinners we ate when it was just the three of us at home. It was always simple, light and easy – a bowl of soup, a fresh salad, or a toasted sandwich.
As an adult with my own family, I appreciate why my mum took the “light and tasty” route. After a weekend of soccer games, play dates and baking, pulling out the roasting pan is akin to dusting the blinds. For the record, dusting blinds is my least favorite household chore. My kids think mummy’s gone cuckoo when I tell them I would rather clean toilets than dust blinds. That would explain why our once-white blinds are now distinctly a few shades darker than white, while our toilets are…well…cleaner than that.
My point is that I like to keep it simple on Sundays. Whether it’s a brothy soup, such as Mediterranean Chicken, Bean & Pasta Soup or a protein-packed salad, such as this Mushroom, Caramelized Onion & Bean Spinach Salad, the goal is to keep prep work and clean-up to a minimum. This panini fits the bill. It follows the same formula as my favorite Turkey, Brie, Pear & Cherry Chipotle Panini – a healthy dose of meat, a sweet sauce with a kick, and plenty of oozing, melted cheese. It requires nothing more than a panini press or a hot frying pan. Now that’s my kind of Sunday night dinner.
The recipe:
Preheat panini press or large grill pan or skillet.
Cut ciabatta rolls in half crosswise.
Divide the pepper jelly evenly between the four rolls, spreading on top and bottom halves. Top the bottom of each roll with slices of ham, cheddar cheese and arugula. Lay the top of each roll over the fillings.
Place the sandwiches on the panini maker or pan, working in batches if necessary. Close the panini press. If using a grill pan or skillet, place a brick, washed and wrapped in foil, on top of the sandwiches to emulate a panini press. When the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the press, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Toasted Panini with Ham, Cheddar & Pepper Jelly
4 ciabatta rolls, preferably whole wheat
1/2 cup pepper jelly (should have sweet-spicy flavor)
6 oz. ham, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
3/4 cup (packed) arugula leaves
Preheat panini press or large grill pan or skillet.
Cut ciabatta rolls in half crosswise. Divide the pepper jelly evenly between the four rolls, spreading on top and bottom halves. Top the bottom of each roll with slices of ham, cheddar cheese and arugula. Lay the top of each roll over the fillings.
Place the sandwiches on the panini maker or pan, working in batches if necessary. Close the panini press. If using a grill pan or skillet, place a brick, washed and wrapped in foil, on top of the sandwiches to emulate a panini press. When the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the press, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Serves 4.
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker
Oh YUM! I love sandwiches, and this would sounds particularly delicious! Love the hot pepper jelly with the cheddar!
Aimee Shugarman
Yum. This is actually one of my favorite sandwiches. I like to grill it in my grill press and add sliced apples and slice avocado! I heart pepper jelly!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Apple slices and avocado would be the perfect additions!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
I saw this recipe and that was it. We didn't have a panini press or pan but that all changed yesterday. I bought a grill styled skillet and made these last night. Oh my gosh – they are great. I knew that hot pepper jelly would be the game changer. It was truly fantastic. I would serve this for company. My husband was very happy with it too. I've been using white cheddar cheese because it melts like a dream. Truly awesome sandwich. I may have to blog this one!
marla
I am with you girl. Can't stand dust or dusting. Hence the blinds are looking…..we won't go there.
I'll keep the focus on this gorgeous panini! Oh my. You have so many goodies tucked inside that sandwich.
Nancy
Now you have me pawing through my refrigerator looking for tasty jellies to use to make panini's!!
Will definitely be making some of these this week since La Crosse season is in full swing – they make the perfect after game snack!!
Cake Duchess
Your dusting blind comment made me LOL! I feel the same way!;)Gorgeous panini! Great idea and I need to remember to make them more often for a quick meal…and nice w/a little of your noodle soup from the other day!
www.kevinandamanda.com
Oh yum, this looks delicious, Dara!
Emily Malloy
Holy Moses. That there is perfection!
Kim @ Feed Me, Seymour
This looks really yummy! I think I might try mine with a little red onion jam.
Vivienne
the colours are beautiful and so vibrant. i just know id love to take a bite at it right now!
love a simple sunday meal!
Rose&Thorn
My motto in life is "Love to Cook – Hate to Clean". I certainly will not lie on my death bed worrying about the blinds that should have been dusted more often – I'll rather lament over that meal I wanted to try make and never took the time to.
Saturday and Sunday are both simple meals in our home – sometimes even "If you want it : make it yourself"! Love this easy recipe.
Kim
Soup, salad and a sandwich – yum. Especially THIS sandwich!
Mary
Oh, this panini sounds (and looks!) perfect! Droooooling…
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having
This panini sounds wonderful. I think I'll try making my own pepper jelly this summer, can't wait to try it in a sandwich like this!
penny aka jeroxie
love the look and ingredients in this panini.
Tracy
The panini sounds wonderful but I am especially drooling over your addition of hot pepper jelly! Yum!!
Kankana
this is making me super hungry now! I have to make those someday .. but i don't have a Panini maker .. so i just put them on pan 🙂