Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Mushroom and Havarti Panini


Whenever I visit my parents, I enter food heaven. My mom shares the same love for food as I do, and we have so much fun discovering new dishes together. This was something we came up with for lunch after looking through the fridge. My mom had a panini press that had yet to be taken out of the box, so it was high time to put it to good use.

I love paninis and each time I eat one, I probably say that it's my favorite, but seriously, this is my favorite panini! The baby bellas made it so meaty and rich, the caramelized onions added texture and sweetness, and the Havarti...well. Have you ever had Havarti? I hadn't until the day I ate this sandwich, and I've been slapping my face for missing out on twenty eight years of Havarti goodness. This cheese is amazing, it's has an ever so slightly pungent flavor, but is so soft and melts like a velvet dream. gaaaaaaaah. Go get some today and make this sandwich!

This sandwich is so simple that I'm not going to post an actual recipe, I'm just going to tell you how I made it, and you can adjust to taste and quantity.

Saute sliced baby bella mushrooms in olive oil. Once mushrooms are slighly browned and wilted, add kosher salt, pepper and dried thyme. Be sure that the mushrooms are flavored well, the second time I made them, I didn't add enough salt and the sandwiches weren't quite as good. At the same time you're sauteing your mushrooms, caramelize your onions. Place onions in a skillet with olive oil. Cook until onions are slightly soft. Add sugar until onions are sweet, then add soy sauce, all to desired taste. Onions should be a caramel color and very soft by the time you are finished cooking them. Assemble sandwich. I put down a layer of mushrooms, a slice of Havarti cheese and the onions. Putting the cheese in the middle will help glue the whole sandwich together. Get a napkin, your favorite beverage and devour!

32 comments:

Alissa said...

Everything about this sandwich is making me weak in the knees. I'm in love! You & your mom make a genius duo in the kitchen:)

j. vorwaller said...

YES!
Marcus came home a while ago with a big box for me - a panini maker! Best surprise ever. We have used to non-stop ever since - it makes the most satisfying fast meals with soup, salad... you can throw in any kind of things you have in the cupboard as long as you have cheese.. . melted cheese, mmmm..

I love your banner, it's so cute!

Natalie said...

this looks so delicious! I love paninis and want a press, except I have NO room for more kitchen tools!

I might have to get one though, just for this sandwich!! :)

Jhonny walker said...

Sammies are my favorite and this one is just making me soooo hungry now..sooo hungry :)

Love it!

chow and chatter said...

oh wow fab panini love them lol

Justin said...

i wish i had enough room in my kitchen to justify buying a panini press, because i get so hungry when i see photos like this

Pam said...

What a fantastic sandwich - I love havarti and mushrooms. Mmmm.

The Blonde Duck said...

What kind of bread did you use? I must have one!

♥peachkins♥ said...

This reminds me, I've got to get a panini press...

Sasha said...

Wow. What a perfect sandwich. And vegetarian too.

I need to get a panini press... : /

Leslie said...

I sooo need a panini maker! Looks delish. Its great your mom shares the same passion for food

Velva said...

Girlfriend, this panini rocks!!! Just the mere mention of creamy Harvarti cheese and it's got to be delicious. The flavor combination of baby bella mushrooms, carmalized onions and harvati-Yum! Very nice.

Velva said...

Oh, I forgot to mention...Did you know that you can grill vegetables with a panini maker? Just add sliced vegetables with good Kosher salt, pepper and little olive oil and life is good. Perfect tasting grilled vegetables.

Anonymous said...

I love paninis, too. Usually, that's what I crave all the time. I literally have to force myself to order something else from the menu if they have paninis.
This panini looks SO delicious. I think mushrooms are on the grocery list for tomorrow!
And that's so cool that your mom is a foodie, too!

Anonymous said...

p.s. I can't comment without my wordpress domain! :-(
Is there a way to add a name/url option to your comment box?

Kim said...

The panini looks delicious! I tried some harvarti at a cooking show once and have been hooked since. Sounds like you and your mom have a wonderful time in the kitchen together :D I am so thankful to have my mom close by and enjoy my time in the kitchen with her so much.

NKP said...

Sounds wonderfully delicious! I love havarti too, and I don't think to buy it nearly enough.
We just replaced our old panini maker, and are looking forward to great sammies to come.
Thanks for the inspiration!

Barbara said...

This is a super panini recipe! I am staying away from carbs for a while, but copying your recipe now!

Debbie said...

Looks delicious. That would be great right now with a bowl of hot soup!

Cathy said...

Oh man, this looks delicious! I LOVE a good panini and think havarti is an ideal cheese to use because it melts so nicely.

Now you've made me hungry.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

You have me craving this for lunch right now...panninis with cheese, shrooms and carmelized onions, what oculd be better?

Joanne said...

I've never had Havarti either! Oh my, I need to get my act together and purchase some. This panini looks awesome. I love sandwiches. And melted cheese. So very much.

Emily said...

Hello! YOUR blog looks dang cute!!! I dream of this sandwich! Next time my hubby is away on business . . . this will headline in my kitchen!

Anonymous said...

Okay, not a huge fan of mushrooms or onions, but Havarti? One of my favorites - my local Aldi of all places sells a dill havarti that is out of this world!

Love the panini press - glad you got to put it to good use!

Jennifer said...

I am scared of mushroom in general but I think in a sandwich I could do it, gorgeous photo!

Sook said...

Mmm I love sauteed mushrooms so the sandwich looks so tempting to me! :)

Donna-FFW said...

What a delicious sounding sandwich! I love all the ingredients listed. And paninis are my favorite.

theUngourmet said...

This looks SO GOOD! I am crazy for mushrooms and havarti! And I love paninis!

Katy ~ said...

Oh! You are wicked. This sandwich looks sensational. It is unfair that I can only see it in a picture when I want one right now!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

LOL, I got the craziest visual of you slapping yourself after taking a bit of this. :) Havarti is delish. My co-worker turned me on to it several years ago.

Btw, I'm starting to think of you as the panini queen.
~ingrid

Anonymous said...

I've never had Havarti either! I have to try it now!

Delish...

nathalia said...

Havarti, as my husband knows, is my most favorite cheese. I tried it years ago for a cheese party (we had to bring a cheese that started with the first letter of either our first or last name - I went with my maiden last name). Ah the creaminess! The smooth, slightly nutty taste. MMMMmmmm.