WIN a Breville Panini Grill in the “Top Panini Chef” Challenge!

by Kathy on August 31, 2009 Click to Print Click to Print

Win a Breville Panini Grill!

**THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED** Get ready for another fun giveaway on Panini Happy!

wichcraft185We’ve got a Breville Panini Grill – the very model that first inspired me to start writing this blog – up for grabs, courtesy of the wonderful folks at Breville USA. A second winner will receive a copy of “Top Chef” head judge Tom Colicchio’s fabulous new ‘wichcraft cookbook. For a chance to win one of these great prizes, I thought it would be fun to host a virtual “Top Panini Chef” challenge.

As fans of “Top Chef” well know, each episode starts with a quickfire challenge where the chefs are often asked to come up with creative dishes in a short amount of time and with a limited set of ingredients. For my version of “Top Panini Chef”* I’m challenging you to come up with a creative panini idea using at least 2 of the ingredients from the grid below plus any other ingredients of your choice. Tell me your idea in the comments (one entry per person, please) and two winners will be selected at random to receive the panini grill and the cookbook.

Take the Quick-Grill Challenge for a chance to win a Breville Panini Grill and 'wichcraft cookbook!

As host Padma would say, “Your time starts NOW!” The contest ends this Friday, September 4, 2009 at 5:00 PM PDT. Apologies to my international readers – we can only ship the prizes to U.S. addresses. **THE CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**

* This contest is not affiliated in any way with Bravo or “Top Chef”.




>Want more panini recipes? Check out the Recipe Index for a list of all recipes on Panini Happy.

Join us on Facebook Join Follow me on Twitter Follow Subscribe to free updates from Cooking On the Side Subscribe

Share This:
  • email
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • del.icio.us

{ 65 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Kelly August 31, 2009 at 1:40 am

Ooh, what a fun challenge! Based on an amazing salad last night, my idea is:

–ciabatta bread, drizzled with a sweet vinaigrette
–pesto made from toasted almonds, arugula and green onions
–bacon
–slices of cold roast chicken
–chopped figs
–caramelized onions
-brie and goat cheese

[Reply]

2 Cori August 31, 2009 at 4:49 am

I would say…caramelized onion, applewood bacon cooked almost -crisp and dark chocolate (only a little) with fontina cheese. All that on grilled challah or ciabatta.

[Reply]

3 Eric August 31, 2009 at 5:55 am

Home made focaccia bread, sliced tomato, grilled onions, sliced fresh mozarella, sliced kalamata olives with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. My wife raves over this grilled paninni!

[Reply]

4 Rebecca August 31, 2009 at 7:02 am

Ooo, ooo . . . I’d like to try a panini with egg, caramelized onion, and brie cheese on rosemary olive bread. (So the filling would lean toward sweet, the bread toward savory.)
Rebecca´s last blog ..Let Me Tell You My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

5 Rebecca August 31, 2009 at 7:07 am

Sourdough Bread (from San Fran, of course)
Thinly sliced apples
Brie Cheese
and a Chocolate Sauce.
Delish!

[Reply]

6 Justyn August 31, 2009 at 7:51 am

I made it this weekend!

Honey wheat bread
Turkey Bacon
Mozzarella Cheese
Tomato
Shredded Crispy Lettuce

[Reply]

7 Ashley August 31, 2009 at 8:13 am

Absolutely I would have to go with sourdough, brie, and Genoa salami. I ate that when I lived in the Netherlands all the time!

[Reply]

8 grace August 31, 2009 at 8:30 am

try this on for size: thinly sliced turkey, pepperjack cheese, pepper-apple jelly (i’ve made it and i’ve devoured it), a little cuke for crunch, and some heirloom tomato to tie it all together. and i drool.
grace´s last blog ..al baraki My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

9 Elle August 31, 2009 at 9:01 am

Nice giveaway!

My sandwich would be sourdough, sliced tomato, hummus, oven roasted assorted veggies, and melty cheese.

[Reply]

10 Ellen August 31, 2009 at 9:06 am

sourdough bread, turkey breast, dijon mustard, gouda, avocado, shaved red onion, and arugula. pressed until warm and gooey, sounds heavenly to me!

[Reply]

11 Kimmie August 31, 2009 at 9:43 am

I like to keep it simple, less is more:

Carmelized ONIONS,
Sliced pears,
Gorgonzola,
All on SOURDOUGH BREAD

I’m making this panini tomorrow…yum!

[Reply]

12 Elizabeth August 31, 2009 at 9:52 am

What a great giveaway!

I would go with a sourdough bread slathered with a mango chutney, then top with prosciutto, carmelized onions, and brie cheese. Yum!!!

[Reply]

13 sara August 31, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Cool contest! I would definitely start off with sourdough bread since I live in the bay area and love to bake sourdough. I’d add a thin layer of chipotle mayo, tomatoes, thinly sliced cheddar cheese, and avocados. Yum!
sara´s last blog ..August Daring Bakers: Dobos Torte My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

14 Curt August 31, 2009 at 1:11 pm

Here in Ohio, the weather is feeling very fall-like. With that in mind, sourdough with apples, brie and bacon would be a nice start on a panini, with some caramelize balsamic onions.
Curt´s last blog ..Livefire On Internet Radio My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

15 Denise August 31, 2009 at 1:13 pm

This is a sandwich my sister and I came up with a couple of years ago. It is to die for!

Combine mayo with chunked turkey breast, diced tart apple, pinepple chunks, diced red onion and black pepper in a bowl. Put a healthy scoop on a piece of sourdough bread and top with avocado slices and then the top piece of bread. Serve cold or press for a warm delicious treat!
Denise´s last blog ..Eggs Benedict My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

16 Bellini Valli August 31, 2009 at 1:29 pm

I just made a tuna panini which of course does not fit the criteria, but good luck to everyone!!!

[Reply]

17 Doreen August 31, 2009 at 1:31 pm

my panini would be
ciabatta bread w/ turkey, brie, tomatoes, basil and some fresh mozarella drizzled with some balsamic vinegar

[Reply]

18 Rosalyn August 31, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Here’s one I love making…

Sourdough (or French) Bread
Sliced Bananas (or apples would be good, too)
Chocolate (I use Nutella)
Peanut Butter

It’s like a peanut butter cup with the addition of fruit! You could also drizzle some honey in there. To die for! A great snack or dessert!
Rosalyn´s last blog ..California Roll Bowl My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

19 Cathy August 31, 2009 at 1:50 pm

I love sour dough with slices of roasted turkey , crisp apple bacon , muenster cheese and raspberry jelly! Mmmmm!

[Reply]

20 Jim August 31, 2009 at 2:27 pm

My number one selling Panini at my wine bar is:

Brie/apple and walnuts on grilled tandori bread ( tandori bread makes the best panini’s.

Jim

[Reply]

21 Barb August 31, 2009 at 4:14 pm

I came up with this one about a month ago. The combination of savory and sweet is out of this world!

Sourdough bread with applebutter spread on the inside slices
Sliced roasted turkey
Thinly sliced granny smith apples
Applewood bacon, cooked until crisp
Thinly sliced brie

I placed the ingredients in order from the bottom up, buttered the sourdough and let ‘er rip in the panini press for about 8 minutes. Terrific flavor!

[Reply]

22 Maria August 31, 2009 at 4:43 pm

What a fun challenge!
Maria´s last blog ..Recipe for Marshmallow Blondies My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

23 Julie August 31, 2009 at 4:44 pm

cranberries
brie
and bacon
on sourdough bread

[Reply]

24 Maria August 31, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Oops, I sent that too quick. I would go for sourdough bread with brie, honey, pears, and fresh rosemary! I love it when the brie gets melty with the sweet honey and pears. The rosemary takes it to a new level too! A divine pannini indeed!
Maria´s last blog ..Recipe for Marshmallow Blondies My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

25 Joyce August 31, 2009 at 5:17 pm

caramelized onions
king oyster mushroom
brie
ciabatta

[Reply]

26 Lisa Bradford August 31, 2009 at 10:07 pm

I’d start with sourdough bread brushed with olive oil. Add tomatoes, bacon, slices of turkey, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Yum!

[Reply]

27 Nancy September 1, 2009 at 1:03 am

Oh maybe a yummy breakfast panini, lets see…
So start with a nice sourdough bread.Add some slices of crispy bacon. top with some scrambled eggs, I love zucchini in my scrabble eggs so lets add some zucchini sauted with some onion. Then some nice cheddar cheese. Ok now I want some breakfast lol

[Reply]

28 Leslie September 1, 2009 at 5:36 am

Cool contest!

Sourdough
granny smith apple slices
Lots of Brie
caramelized onions

Love this simple sandwich

[Reply]

29 Dani September 1, 2009 at 6:42 am

This is one my mom taught me and it is great. Ciabatta spread with garlic aioli, turkey, tomato, and havarti cheese. Yum!
Dani´s last blog ..Party and car rides My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

30 Jill H. September 1, 2009 at 7:38 am

Sourdough, Turkey, Pesto and Mozzarella!

[Reply]

31 Emily September 1, 2009 at 8:41 am

Oh this is a good one! Sourdough (San Luis Obispo Sourdough that is) with a grilled tuna fillet, thin layer of black olive tapenade, red onion, and sprigs of arugula. Yes, please!
Emily´s last blog ..WEEK 13: Pulled Pork BBQ Pizza (and the great American road trip) My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

32 spiro September 1, 2009 at 8:43 am

Traverse City Panini

Start with ciabata bread,thin slices of red apples,bacon strips,blue cheese,spring greens with raspberry vinaigrette,walnuts and dried cherries.Lightly oil the bread and grill until golden brown.

[Reply]

33 Alison September 1, 2009 at 10:43 am

Ciabatta bread
Roasted turkey
Carmelized onion
Bacon
Havarti cheese

Yum!!

[Reply]

34 Scot September 1, 2009 at 3:22 pm

Ah yes… The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftover Panini is the only answer.

Sourdough bread, roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry optional.

The secret ingredient? Cold leftover gravy used as a spread like mayo.

Can you say heaven?

[Reply]

35 katie September 1, 2009 at 5:13 pm

I would of course use the sourdough, thinly sliced turkey breast, smoked gouda, ripe sliced avocado and honey mustard.

[Reply]

36 JenS September 1, 2009 at 6:07 pm

Bacon and Caprese Panini
spinach and basil pesto
tomatoes slices
fresh mozzarella
bacon
focaccia bread
I really want a panini for dinner!!

[Reply]

37 Bettina September 1, 2009 at 7:07 pm

Readding everyone’s responses has made me hungry, and I JUST ate dinner!

I would put brie, roast turkey, and thinly sliced apple (fuji would be nice) on a baguette with some herbed mayo (I’m thinking thyme?).

mmmm might have to go to the store tomorrow…

[Reply]

38 Gennaro September 1, 2009 at 7:35 pm

The French Press Burger

Layers, from bottom to top:

Slowly caramelized onions
Beef patty, shaped to fit the bread, crusted with mixed peppercorns and nicely charred
Comte (Gruyere) cheese
Crispy bacon
A light drizzle of Brandy-peppercorn sauce

All on a split, thin baguette or Cuban roll, brushed with butter to get nicely toasted on the grill

[Reply]

39 Erin September 2, 2009 at 4:05 am

I’m always fascinated when you whip up a dessert panini. So I’d love to see something with chocolate. I wonder if it wouldn’t be really yummy to make some sort of homemade savory pumpkin spiked bread and then melt chocolate, walnuts, and marshmallow inside. Obviously I just need to eat breakfast….
Erin´s last blog ..Grilled Tuna Rolls My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

40 Norene September 2, 2009 at 11:47 am

Made this one last night:
Oven roasted tomatoes, onions & garlic along with very thin sirloin pork chops. Sprinkled with balsamic vinegar.

Layered this on homemade foccacia with mozarella cheese and basil.

[Reply]

41 Jordan September 2, 2009 at 2:04 pm

How fun!

Well here is something that I’ve been meaning to try. It’s something I heard about called a “hypocrite” burger, where you top a veggie burger with bacon strips! LOL!

Here’s how I would make my version:

Wheat french bread smeared with a creamy sweet chipotle sauce, stacked with a Morningstar Farms garden veggie patty slathered with avocado, sprinkled generously with crisp, crumbly bits of bacon, and topped off with some nice, fresh rings of red onion.

Yum!
Jordan´s last blog ..Dark chocolate (Nutella) almond cookies My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

42 Nora September 2, 2009 at 2:53 pm

Bambini Panini:

For the little ones in your life

Sour Dough bread (the end pieces that are too small to serve to adults
Light Bologna
American Cheese
Catsup or sliced tomato

[Reply]

43 fittingbackin September 2, 2009 at 6:35 pm

Fun!! Here’s one that’s sounding FABULOUS to me:

Sourdough Bread
Garlic Hummus
Roasted Turkey
Mushrooms sauteed in olive oil/salt
Tomatoes
Swiss Cheese

Now I want one…. bad!! :)
fittingbackin´s last blog ..My Blogiversary: My First Year of Fitting Back In + Progress Pics My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

44 Zahra September 2, 2009 at 6:44 pm

I’m going to have to go with a Naan panini with spicy chicken tikka, a raita sauce made with yogurt, tomatoes, onions and apples, and topped off with a drizzle of sour pomegranate paste. Sounds odd but it tastes good!

[Reply]

45 Lori @ RecipeGirl September 2, 2009 at 6:57 pm

Here’s my idea for a fabulous Summer Panini:
-Sourdough bread
-brie
-thinly sliced peaches
-strips of red bell pepper
-a sprinkle of green onions
-a sprinkle of fresh cilantro
-a squeeze of a wedge of lime
-a dash of cayenne pepper

mmmm!
Lori @ RecipeGirl´s last blog ..Raspberry- Lemonade Biscotti (with Roasted Raspberries) My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

46 Sara @ Our Best Bites September 3, 2009 at 9:07 pm

oooh, fun! Here’s mine. I’m craving breakfast right now (yup, at 10pm, lol)

Fried Egg
Bacon
Oven Roasted tomatoes
Roasted garlic spread on Sourdough Bread

Yum!
Sara @ Our Best Bites´s last blog ..Fresh Basil Pesto My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

47 Katie Kirtland September 4, 2009 at 4:18 am

Sauteed apples and caramelized onions with cheddar on sourdough bread.
Yum!

[Reply]

48 Double Dipped Life September 4, 2009 at 7:20 am

Oh, yum! I would make a breakfast panini w/ the sourdough bread, scrambled eggs, a little bacon and tomatoes! Yum!! (The chocolate would be for desert! he he)

[Reply]

49 Erin @ One Particular Kitchen September 4, 2009 at 8:08 am

Ooh! How fabulous! I think apples and brie for sure. I wonder how bacon would go with those? A little savory crunch with the sweet? I may have to try this…
Erin @ One Particular Kitchen´s last blog ..Sandy’s chocolate cake My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

50 Claire September 4, 2009 at 9:12 am

Mmmm…..

Caramelized onions, bacon, fried eggs, tomatoes and brie, on sourdough. The egg would get runny, the cheese would melt, and the onions add that bit of sweet. I would probably add some fresh oregano as well.

Fingers crossed!
Claire´s last blog ..Wisconsin – The Wonderful Land of Food on (and off) a Stick My ComLuv Profile

[Reply]

Leave a Comment

CommentLuv Enabled

Previous post:

Next post: