Monday, August 27, 2012

Grilled, Breville, and Ariosto

Grilled potatoes with cilantro and smoked salt.
Note: potatoes were boiled first, then grilled.

I finally got something to grill on, nothing fancy or big, just a simple Breville panini grill, that I lovely call "my crocodile". 


Breville Panini Grill, my crocodile...

As soon as I unpacked it from the box, I put it to work: I was craving grilled vegetables all summer long. In went eggplants (aubergine),  zucchinis (courgette), and jalapeno peppers. 


Asian eggplants and zucchinis, mixed in Ariosto seasoning and olive oil before it went on the grill
Then I grilled some chicken breast for my meat lovers. 


Chicken breast and jalapeno peppers 

Then it was time for a grilled cheese sandwich with grilled vegetables and grilled onions. 


Cheese, grilled vegetables, basil, and grilled onions sandwich

And for dinner I made grilled potatoes with smoked salt and cilantro to accompany lentil and vegetables entree.


Grilled eggplants (aubergine)
with minced shallots in balsamic vinegar, and lentil Ariosto

Some time ago I received a free samples from Ariosto and have been trying it on different vegetables, legumes, and meats. 


Ariosto Seasoning 
This time for both, lentil and vegetables, I used Ariosto seasoning for potatoes, which has a wonderful combination of salt, garlic, rosemary, sage, juniper, basil, marjoram, oregano, laurel, coriander and parsley. 

I need to confess: this is my second Breville panini grill. First one I sold when we were moving cross-country: big mistake on my side! 
Each time I saw this grill in a magazine or at Williams Sonoma store, I would blame myself for selling it. About a year ago Breville came out on the market with a new version, 25% larger and improved (although to me there wasn't much to improve, I loved my old crocodile!), and I couldn't find a peace before I had it again. 
So when I received a Williams Sonoma gift card for my birthday, I knew what it's going to be, and a happy smile shone on my face. 
My favorite features of Breville panini grill: 
- adjustable height control of the top plate;
- adjustable angle of the bottom plate (wonderful to drain all the fats from grilling eggplants);
- super easy to clean.

A beautiful visitor...



What do you liked grilled? 


See you, 
Marina




51 comments:

  1. Everything you grilled looks great! My favorite thing would probably be cheese sandwiches. I'm embarrassed to say I've got a panini grill and have only used it once. You have inspired me to use it this fall after grilling outside. Thanks! Gorgeous flower and butterfly pic too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, we don't have an outside grill, not yet. So this is some compensation for that. :)

      Delete
  2. Sounds like a cool piece of kitchen equipment to own. Like Pam I love the grill cheese sandwich.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Norma! Grill cheese sandwich is quite popular in our house, especially with kids! :)

      Delete
  3. Neat! I've never had an indoor grill like that - I can imagine it coming in handy for tons of things. Great looking grilled cheese sandwich there! And I'm not sure if I've ever had a jalapeno pepper grilled - nice idea. Congrats on your new grill - enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi John, because I don't have outdoor grill this one is like a compensation. I do hope to have an outdoor grill some day, a good one. I even showed my husband which one I want, and then he can make any meat he wants! :)

      Delete
  4. Marina, I would love to grill so many fruits and vegetables, but unfortunately we don't have a grill. Maybe when we will have a new deck, in about couple of weeks it should be complete. Your new toy looking so good-) I just don't have any more space in my kitchen for new equipment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I grilled some plums today, come see it! :) I hope you will share some photos of your new deck when it's done!

      Delete
    2. Marina, I am going to try the same seasonings. My pack from Italy will come soon-))) How about it?))

      Delete
    3. I am so glad you are in it too! I live that seasoning, the ingredients just speak for itself! :)

      Delete
  5. I think I want to come for lunch so you can make one of those delicious grilled cheese sandwiches!! I have a an indoor grill but we cook on the gas grill on the back porch summer and winter. I like all the veggies you grilled. Don't onions smell delicious when cooked that way? ------------ Shannon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Shannon, you are absolutely right: those onions are fantastic, I make it every day to compliment our dinners. Thanks for visiting my blog! :)

      Delete
  6. That all looks delicious! We have one of those and hardly ever use it- I should dust it off :)

    - Lilly

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lilly, I don't have many appliances in my kitchen, but those I do have, are used all the time... :) This grill is our workhorse as we don't have a toaster nor microwave...

      Delete
  7. You know what's crazy, I have a panini maker and I have never done anything on it but make paninis...I will have to try chicken and vegies. They look great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Valerie! Good luck on grilling! I grilled some plums today, come see it... :)

      Delete
  8. I love it! Very good! Compliments and kisses! :-*

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love everything grilled Marina! From meats and fish to fruits and veggies. It's all good! I've never grilled boiled potatoes before, but yours look so delicious that I must try it. I have never used my panini grill for "grilling". What a fabulous idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Della, I love everything grilled too, especially veggies. Those grilled boiled potatoes were a big hit that night! :)

      Delete
  10. It looks like Breville is very popular there! It's an Australian brand so that's great! :D I know Oprah loves hers too and I'd love a bite of that sandwich! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lorraine! I don't know about popular in general in our parts, but in this particular house it is very-very popular: I love this brand, and use juicer, smart oven, and now my second panini grill with no complains. I have my eyes on two, or maybe three other Breville products... :)
      Yes, please do come to visit me, I'll make as many grilled sandwiches as you wish with different vegetables... :)

      Delete
  11. Panini grills are so much fun and you sure know how to put your Breville 'crocodile' to good use! I've got to try grilling vegetables on mine as you did! That panino looks fabulous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Roz! I grilled some plums today, come see it! :)

      Delete
  12. Well I can see that you has quality time with your crocodile and that you and your family enjoyed a lot the "crocodiled" food:-) yum, yum :-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. we did indeed, I am grilling everything on it, and have no complains yet...:)

      Delete
  13. Wow that grilled cheese looks Amazing! New cooking appliances are so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jess! Aren't cooking appliances like a new toys?! :)

      Delete
  14. I love grilled food, and that's some feast! Nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I made some for everyone's taste... :)

      Delete
  15. I, too, have an indoor gill/griddle and absolutely love it! Even a plain lunchmeat sandwich is elevated when there are grill marks on the bread. You certainly did initiate yours in stye. Everything looks delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you John! I've been waiting for this for quite some time as we don't have an outdoor grill, which I wouldn't be able to use anyway in hot-hot summer... :)

      Delete
  16. i like just about anything grilled with maybe the exception of cereal:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do to Lynn, I don't even have a box of cereal at home, so I never thought of it to begin with... :)

      Delete
  17. It looks as though you are going to have fun experimenting with your new grill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Experimenting is a very true word Lindy! I grilled some plums today, come see it, came out really good! :)

      Delete
  18. What a fabulous gadget to have for the kitchen!
    :-) Mandy

    ReplyDelete
  19. I;m jealous... The hubs has three outdoor grills that he uses all summer - he does summer cooking; I do winter cooking. But that I could use... Veggies look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Wow, three outdoor grills? That's a dream! We have none... Thanks for stopping by my blog! :)

      Delete
  20. Dear Marina, Everything looks wonderful. You certainly have made a beautiful variety of food. Everything looks delicious and healthy. Blessings dearest. Catherine xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Catherine, you comments are so kind and heartwarming... :)

      Delete
  21. Hi Marina, those veggies look fantastic. Glad you bought another panini maker. Those things work so wel, I have even grilled tofu on mine. Looks like we have the same grill, cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same grill? Cool, I love it! Grilled everything looks and tastes more elegant! :) I grilled some plums today, come see it! :)

      Delete
  22. I must pull mine out of the storage rack and crank it up. My goodness this food looks SO good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Maureen! I am glad you liked it. I grilled something else today, come see it! :)

      Delete
  23. Good thing I tracked back to your previous post...I would have missed all the amazing grilled goodies. Love the grilled eggplants paired with the lentils. The photos are lovely, and so are the presentations.
    A word of "curiosity"...how is it that you are able to grill other things, then panini, which by the way is One separate post...soooo incredibly delicious!

    The George Foreman grill has deeper grooves to accommodate meats and vegetables, and leave deep grooves in them. My panini grill, which is almost identical to yours, I make grilled sandwiches, or just simply toast a slice of bread in minutes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Elisabeth, thanks you! :) You know, I just grill and never ask myself a question if that is an appropriate equipment. I don't have a formal culinary training (well, I do have a degree in food microbiology but it's different), so I just follow my intuition. Most of the time it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Then the lesson is learned and I move on. :) So when I got that grill I wanted grilled eggplants so bad that it was the first thing on my panini grill! :)

      Delete
  24. oh that grilled cheese with veggies sounds and looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks you! I make it everyday for lunch for myself and then for dinner for everyone else. I also make only grilled veggies panini sandwich, which is fantastic! :)

      Delete

Your warm comments put a smile on my heart.