After another tiring day of work, it was time to make dinner and feed the family. Although no one makes moms officially responsible for dinner, we somehow delegate ourselves to this brain-racking chore. To me it is not the physical effort of cooking dinner that seems difficult, but the endless thought processes that run in my brain simultaneously that cause all the stress. It starts when I leave work and start driving: "What should I prepare for dinner today? Maybe rice and vegetables?....umm, no the little one needs proteins too.... yeah, maybe fish for her, I can fry some fish quickly for her...but then what would we eat?... don't feel like fried fish today...etc etc".. and it goes on and on...
After struggling with the little one and her dose of rice, fish and vegetables for an hour, I did not want to look at those anymore. This recipe was a welcome break from my mundane Indian dinner. This is also one of the recipes whose outcome cannot be attributed to the recipe or the cook. It solely depends on the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Although I must admit, if you do happen to get a few words of praise from your better half, go on and take credit ;-)
For all sandwich lovers out there: If you thought fresh yummy Panini is available only in classy sandwich places, read on. This recipe might just be for you.
I got all of the following ingredients from Whole Foods:
(Makes 3 panini)
Sliced sourdough bread - 6 slices (use the slices from the middle to make a decent sized panini)
Pesto sauce as a spread
Butter
Organic Heirloom tomato - 1
Fresh mozzarella cheese (the ones stored in a watery solution)
Basil leaves - fresh from the plant (you got it right, I just bought the whole plant)
Salt & black pepper to taste
To the outside of the bread, I spread the butter and on the inside, I spread the pesto sauce. Butter side down, on one slice of bread, I added 3 slices of heirloom tomatoes, 3 slices of mozzarella cheese, 3 fresh basil leaves and very little salt & pepper. The other side was placed on top (pesto side down). The whole assembly was put on an electric grill and I pressed the lid occasionally but did not shut it completely. The Panini was nice, crunchy and so fresh to taste.
You are probably thinking: "Wait, this is not an Indian dish! What is this doing on iMom's journal?" Here is the reason. During dinner today, I thought I have to share this simple yet tasty recipe on my blog today. Maybe somewhere out there, is a reader who just wants to break free from the mundane dinner. Maybe, some reader out there, works from home sometime and decides to take a lunch break and is craving for a good sandwich but does not want to go to the nearest grocery store. Maybe they will get an idea and make this sometime. If this blog brings change to even one person's life in a positive way, even for a meal, I will consider myself lucky :-)
