chili powder makes even hot days better: Mushroom Tacos

It was a hot hot hot May evening. Steve and Lindsay had slacked the day prior and skipped out on their run in favor of window shopping and Cobb Salads. They had to vindicate the wrong they had done. So, after a brief hello and a kiss, a short play date with the pup, they were suited up and off to run 3 miles.

It was painful! “I feel like I am running through cold molasses” said Lindsay. “I feel sluggish” replied Steve. All in all, this was a much harder 3 miles than they conquered the week prior… But they finished. Drenched in sweat, trail dirt coating their ankles, pebbles lodged in their favorite running tread, they finished. THEN… They ate Tacos!

The most delightful, meaty, tender, juicy, HEALTHY tacos that ever existed! These are not just any tacos, but clean eating mushroom tacos. It’s honestly shocking that these don’t have meat in them, just because they are so filling… but that’s the wonder of mushrooms! PLUS there is cauliflower hidden in there.. Is there no food chili (the seasoning :P) can't assist?? I mean GENIUS!! To boot, Steve was brilliant (always, forever and again) and did all the prep work before the run so when we came back it was as easy as 1-2-3!

Panini Heroes Continued: Prosciutto and Grilled Asparagus Panini

Well after the success of the Turkey Panini, I figured we would have another relaxed but delicious dinner this past Monday (and subsequent delicious lunch Tuesday) and do another Panini. After crusing the internet for inspiration I decided to combine a few recipes I saw, but put a little twist. It's not exactly "clean eating" but its better than a lot of alternatives! Just trusty ol' fashioned good eats :)

I’ll keep this post short since I’ve already gushed about the grill pan and it’s wondrous and numerous uses… But seriously, it doesn’t get much better, much easier, and much more delicious for 5 minutes of effort… than this. 

the infamous Grill Pan introduces our star player: Turkey Panini

Music: Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin (oh yeah... eat your heart out)

Drink: Water

Question: So what do you when you are having a particularly tiresome day, but still want to cook and eat something absolutely delicious?

Question: After making that fabulous aioli, how can I use it on more things, but keep it fresh and new?

Question: How do I do all this in one pan?

Answer: Panini.

After our longest but wonderful and victorious run yet, the last thing I wanted to do was get out lots of complicated instructions and.. well … try! What?! I was tired! (and sweaty!) So I literally took all five ingredients and the grill pan (my favorite kitchen utensil of the moment) and off we went!

And here is where I am going to put in a plug for the underrated Grill Pan. Honestly, I wasn’t so jazzed when we bought this.. thinking “who wants nasty soaked-in-its-own-grease table top burgers?” or “if I want to grill I’ll light the dang grill!” …oh no. I was mistaken

So versatile!

So simple to clean!

So fabulous!

I mean not only crispy paninis.. but perfect chicken... tender turkey burgers all worthy of great salivation. Hungry yet? Good! Go make a Panini on your new grill pan :P

Remember to always experiment! Try switching up the ingredients… Go wild! This makes ordinary sandwiches look… well…  ordinary!