In an earlier post, I told you all about the cooking and shopping and hanging with mom that went down over Mother’s Day weekend but I forgot to mention just exactly what Mr. Boudreau was up to all that time.  You see, he may be a research scientist…but he is also one hell-of-a-handyman!  Since moving into our new house last June, he has installed & wired recessed lighting in the kitchen, installed & wired penant lighting, Installed new ceiling fans in every room, installed new carpeting in the porch, ripped out a bedroom and transformed it into a home gym, ordered & hung new blinds, re-created our guest bath, changed knobs and fixtures….AND THE LIST GOES ON.  But this Mother’s Day weekend…he installed new countertops in ALL 3 upstairs bathrooms!!  He was a counter-cutting-n-installing machine.  🙂

I should have taken some before pics of the masterbath…but I didn’t.  Here is the new bath (waiting to repair frame on mirror):

And in the half bath off the kitchen, ladies and gentlemen, the finished product….

I haven’t posted pics of the guestbath…still waiting on fixtures.  But for all of your hardwork….Thanks Buddy!

All that leads me to today’s recipe(s)….while Ryan whipped up a new look in the bathrooms….I whipped up PANINIS for lunch!  

The first panini I made was Napa Style….very similar to a cold sandwich that we enjoyed in Wine Country….made fresh at the Oakville Grocer.  If you’ve never been to an Oakville Grocer (Napa Valley or Healdsburg CA)…you must go!  Amazing.  http://www.oakvillegrocery.com/stores/napa_valley.php

ITALIAN PANINI

• Foccacia (I bought mine from Panera)
• Genoa Salami
• Hard Salami
• Provolone, thinly sliced
• 2 Tbsp EVOO
• 4 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• Red Onion, thinly sliced
• Fresh Romaine Lettuce
• Tomato, thinly sliced

One loaf of foccacia from Panera will make 2 sandwiches.  Cut the loaf in half and then slice the loaf open (like a bagel).  In a small bowl, combine EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar.  Using a brush, spread this mixture over the bread.  Layer salami, provolone, and vegetables.  Place sandwich on Panini maker for approx 5 minutes, until sandwich is heated through and cheese is melting.

And since mom was up for a little lunch, I thought I would make a panini a little more her style as well. 

CREAMY CHICKEN & SPINACH PANINI

• Foccacia
• Grilled Chicken Breast
• 2 Tbsp Extra Light Olive Oil
• Tostitos Creamy Spincach Dip
• Provolone, thinly sliced
• Tomato, thinly sliced
• Fresh Romaine Lettuce

Once again, I used foccacia from Panera.  Cut loaf in half and slice like a bagel.  🙂

Brush olive oil on both sides of chicken breast.  Grill at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes per side or until cooked through.  While chicken is grilling, spread Creamy Spinach dip (amt to your liking) over the inner sides of the foccacia.  Layer provolone, lettuce and tomato.  Add grilled chicken breast.  Place sandwich on panini maker for approximately 5 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melting.

Of the two sandwiches, the Creamy Chicken and Spinach was definitely the best!    The Italian panini was also great…but since Ryan & I LOVE our Oakville Grocery sandwich…we’ve decided we prefer this classic cold.  Try it…and let me know what you prefer!

Indulge.  In Life.  In Love.  In Food.