For as long
as I can remember Football has been a part of my life. There are three events
that stick in my mind the most.
I remember as a young child watching
football games with my Father and my Uncle Mark. Sitting around the TV as my
dad rooted for the Miami Dolphins and my uncle for the Seattle Seahawks. My
uncle enjoyed them so much that he had notebooks upon notebooks full of stats and
information. They would scream, whoop and sometimes cry for their teams. Most
of all I remember we were always enjoying it together.
Then as a teenager I remember
attending Friday night football games to watch my cousins play on the Serrano
Diamond Backs. It brought the whole
community together to root for their team. We would cuddle under blankets to
keep warm and my aunt would be screaming for her boys while she filmed the game
from the back of the stands. This is probably my favorite memory.
My husband brought me to love the
San Diego Chargers in 2003. Every weekend we would get together with his family
to cheer on our Chargers. Although they mostly lost they had a lot of cute
players :). After I got pregnant in 2006 these Sundays gave me a great excuse to take
a nap during the game :). I will always remember the excitement of just
coming together and enjoying each other’s company.
This year I threw my own football
party for the Super Bowl. I rooted for the Seahawks in honor of my late uncle.
It did not matter that they lost the game at the very end due to a bad call by
the coach. The kids and I enjoyed the Katie Perry half time show and the commercials, like always were epic. It was all enjoyed with our best friends that we consider family. It
also gave me a reason to come up with a new game day recipe.
I hope that whether it is football
or something else; you make it a point or a tradition to gather those closest
to you. Remember that having each other and creating memories is important, not
just for you but for your kids too.
Remember to hold those dearest to
your heart close, no one really knows what tomorrow will bring, but for today
you can make memories and EAT GREAT FOOD!
“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to
live in a circle of those who are.” -
C.S. Lewis
Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini's with Garlic Basil Carrot Fries
Carrot Fries: 10min prep 25min cooking time
Panini's: 25min prep 10min cooking time
Makes about 6-8 servings
Ingredients:
Carrot Fries:
2-3 small bags of carrots depending on how many you are serving (or want as leftovers, seriously these are addicting)
4 cloves of garlic minced
1/4 cup of olive oil
1/2 tsp of sea salt
1/4 tsp of pepper
1/2 tsp of dried basil
hand full of fresh basil julienned
Dipping sauce for fries:
1 cup sour cream
1/2 lemon zest and its juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
Chicken Cordon Bleu Panini
1 1/2 tsp McCormicks sweet basil and oregano season packet
1 cup shredded mozzarella
12-15 slices of swiss cheese
1 roasted chicken breast (follow instructions below) or buy one at the store
Jennie O Turkey ham, sliced thin about 12 slices, or you can buy pre-sliced
Bacon bits of your choice
1/2 cup sliced scallions
1 cup Pre-made Alfredo sauce, I used Classico brand
Sliced sour dough bread
Olive oil for spreading on bread
Instructions:
Preheat Oven to 425
If you are roasting your own chicken breast, place on a foil lined cookie sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with some of the McCormicks sweet basil and oregano seasoning and place in oven at same time as carrots, cook until internal temp reaches 165.
Wash carrots but leave skin on, this is where most of the nutrients are. Then cut in half and make finger size cuts. See pic below
Mince Garlic
Julienne Basil
In a separate bowl combine olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and dried basil.
Add carrots and toss until evenly coated
Lay out on a foil lined cookie sheet and cook in oven for 25mins or until desired doneness is reached. I prefer mine to still have a bit of a crunch, easier for dipping. Pull out of oven and sprinkle fresh basil over the top and set aside.
While carrots are roasting you can prepare ingredients for the panini's
Slice Jennie O Turkey Ham thin.
Then place on a foil lined cookie sheet and place in oven still at 425 and cook for 10min
After chicken is done roasting, or with your store bought one; slice thin and set aside
Next in a mixing bowl add the Alfredo sauce and McCormick seasoning till blended.
Lay sour dough bread on a foil lined cookie sheet, brush one side of each with olive oil then turn over.
You can then begin assembling
Spread Alfredo sauce on each slice of bread
Lay down a layer of cooked ham then a layer of mozzarella cheese
Next add a layer of sliced chicken
Then add slices of swiss cheese until all chicken is covered
Sprinkle bacon bits and scallions over the top
Top with another slice of sough dough that has already been spread with the Alfredo sauce
Repeat until all sandwiches are assembled
There are several ways you can achieve a panini. I actually grilled mine on my bbq by spraying with non stick spray and after placing on bbq I used a metal spatula to press down to create the pressed panini. Cooking on the grill your flame should be very low and it will take about 5mins per side to allow for the cheese to melt. Closing the cover of your bbq will help the cheese melt as well. You could also use cookie sheet you assembled on and place in the oven on broil opening after 5mins to press down on sandwich. Now if you have a panini press well then more power to you.
After sandwiches are cooked I let rest for 5mins before cutting, during this time you can whip up the dipping sauce for the carrots.
In a bowl combine sour cream, the zest and juice of 1/2 lemon and add salt.
Slice sandwiches and serve!
This sounds delicious...I can't wait to try to make this :)
ReplyDelete