Had Enough Turkey? Set Up a Make Your own Panini Station

~Easy Make Your Own Panini Bar at Home~

Because Sandwiches are a universal comfort food, it's fun to play with different variations of them….so set up this awesome make your own panini bar, relax and enjoy tonight.

We all indulged in a bountiful Thanksgiving meal and have enjoyed the leftovers for days.  Here is a fun idea for supper tonight.

 I find my family and friends generally like to customize their food in a relaxed atmosphere . I love my Panini maker but if you don't own one, a griddle does the job just as nicely.  My Panini maker will fit 3 sandwiches.  The nice part is anything goes....I make up a large deli tray full of ham, oven roasted turkey and roast beef, provolone,  swiss and sharp cheddar sliced cheeses, put out baskets of wheat, sourdough,  multigrain breads and rolls and different toppings.  Fig spread, marinated artichokes,  sundried tomatoes, Nutella, a variety of mustards, mayonnaise, and butter.  It's fun to see the combinations your family and friends will come up with.  

For a sweet Panini, try strawberry, banana and Nutella.   Or chocolate chips and banana.  Brioche bread or sourdough best for dessert because of their heartier texture.

~Happy Tuesday~

Ham Sliders

(photo source)

Need easy supper idea for guests coming for the holidays?

 I found a recipe for ham sliders I thought would perfect for entertaining guests for a couple of reasons.  It makes 24 servings and you can  make it the day before.  Always a favorite of mine.  I think you will find it to be a tasty and fun spin on the ham sandwich.  Make a batch of your favorite mashed potato recipe and serve it in individual shot glasses for mashed potato shots.

Serve hot and offer shredded cheddar cheese, bacon pieces and sour cream in individual serving dishes.  Individuals can top off their potatoes to fit their own taste.  If you don't have shot glasses, be inventive with martini glasses or small beverage glasses....anything goes.   

Debbie Dance Uhrig from the Midwest Living Culinary School suggests to make ahead as simply as this:  Assemble sliders, wrap pan in plastic wrap, chill overnight, and add toppings and bake the next day. 

Serving Ham Sliders and Mashed Potato Shots

Prep time: 15 minutes  Bake time:  20 minutes

You need the following:

1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup pineapple or apricot jam
24 dinner rolls (Parker House Rolls or Hawaiian Rolls work great)
Non stick cooking spray
1 1/2 pounds very thinly sliced cooked ham
12 ounces thinly sliced cheddar cheese
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
4 teaspoons yellow mustard
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, flour and jam. Be sure to cut up any larger pieces of fruit in the jam. Set aside.

Cut rolls in half and lay bottoms, cut sides up, in an even layer in TWO 13x9 baking pans lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.  Spread each roll bottom with 1 teaspoon of jam mixture.

Divide ham and cheese among the roll bottoms and add roll tops.

For topping, in a small saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter over medium heat. Remove from heat, stir in brown sugar, mustard and Worcestershire sauce.  Using a pastry brush, coat roll tops with the topping.

Bake in a 350 oven for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and slider are heated through.  **You can cover with plastic wrap after adding the roll tops and refrigerate until the next day if you want to make ahead.  Remove plastic wrap and continue on with the last step of cooking the topping and baking.  

A fresh fruit salad would compliment these dishes nicely. Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by.