Panini Happy!

So, it would be an understatement to say that we are obsessed with bread...and we are constantly thinking up new ways to eat our breads. With that said, sometimes we need a little help.

We want to share a great blog with you that consistently has fresh ideas and recipes all revolving around good-quality bread. Panini Happy is not only an extensive database of panini recipes, but it is extremely organized. You can navigate the site based on what kind of panini you are in the mood for/what ingredients you have in your home. The main navigation bar lets you choose between beef or chicken paninis, breakfast or dessert paninis and even vegetarian and seafood paninis. Here is one of our favorite "Panini Happy" recipes for summer:




Chicken-Grape Salad & Gruyère Panini

INGREDIENTS:
(Note: The quantity of each ingredient in the chicken salad is completely up to your personal taste.)

Chicken, cooked and shredded
Grapes, halved
Walnuts, chopped
Mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
Gruyère cheese, shaved or sliced
Dark rye bread

DIRECTIONS:

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

In a small bowl, combine chicken, grapes, walnuts, mayonnaise, salt and pepper.

For each sandwich: Spread about 1 cup of chicken salad onto a slice of bread. Add cheese and top with another slice of bread. Grill about 5 minutes until cheese is melted and bread is crispy, with grill marks. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cookies

Even though we literally live for bread, we like to use peanut butter for more than just sandwiches. This recipe for peanut butter cookies is a staff favorite. They are the perfect combination of soft, chewy and rich. Although the traditional recipe suggests Peanut Butter & Co.’s more traditional “Smooth Operator,” we suggest revving up these cookies with “Dark Chocolate Dreams” or “White Chocolate Wonderful” and get ready to eat them all!

INGREDIENTS:
· 2 2/3 cups flour
· 2 teaspoons baking soda
· 1 teaspoon salt
· 1 cup butter (at room temperature)
· 2/3 cup Peanut Butter & Co. “Smooth Operator” Peanut Butter
· 1 cup sugar
· 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
· 2 eggs
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· Additional sugar
· 5 dozen Hersey Kisses, unwrapped

METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, and baking soda. In a separate bowl cream together butter and both brown and white sugar until smooth. Add peanut butter. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Then slowly add the dry ingredients. Mix until combined
3. Make balls out of level tablespoons of dough - add flour to hands if needed. Roll balls in sugar.
4. Bake 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and add 1 kiss to the center of each cookie. Press the kiss into the cookie so it cracks a little bit. Return to the oven and bake for 2 more minutes.