I’m aliiiiiive! 
The “do I eat this and risk death?” Chicken Chili from last night did not, thankfully, kill me. Or make me sick. In fact, I stand by my statement that it was probably the best batch of Chicken Chili I’ve ever made! I give 100% credit to this puppy:
A big ol’ can of Bush’s Country Style Baked Beans added to the batch. I think last night I said I used homestyle but no, it was the extra thick, extra sweet, extra luscious country style. I normally opt for the less-sugar-added Vegetarian style, but was feeling extra frisky at the store and shot for the stars. 
How do you like your chili? Sweet/Savory? Mild/Spicy? Meat/No Meat?
In other news, I seriously inHALED my dinner tonight – a Turkey, Ham & Apricot Panini!
Not an”ohmigoshIamsooooohungrygivemesomethingANYTHING!” inhale, rather a “eeeeeeeekthisissofreakinggoodimgoingtoeatitsofastsonobodycantakeit!!” inhale. You get it.
I started with Trader Joe’s French Bread and a slice of swiss cheese.
These bread slices are super long which is optimal for a pressed sandwich, imo.
FYI – whenever I smell swiss cheese I immediately think of a Rueben sandwich, which is one of my top 3 favorite sandwiches, didn’t you know?!
On goes some Polaner Apricot Preserves.
Normally when I’m making a sweet/savory panini, I opt for Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter for the sweet component, but this was all I had in the house.
I looooove the ingredient list,
and the flavor is SO pure!
Finally, on goes some deli DiLusso Low-Sodium Deli Turkey & DiLusso Double Smoked Ham.
Sorry but, I. LOVE. HAAAAM! (Picture Oprah saying that – that’s how it came out in my head… ) Love it! Mmmm!
Piled high.
Next I heated up my Griddler for some panini press action. Here’s the deal, if you still need a gift for the foodie in your life, get them the Griddler. It is amazing and so versatile!
Its floating hinges press my panini evenly and produce a golden brown, perfectly crispy, ultra delish sandwich.
Right?!
For me – the flatter the panini, the better. You?
It’s Love!
Audibly crispy, I’m telling you.
The sweet apricot preserves are where it’s at. Sweet, chunky, chewy and so awesome with the salty ham.
Why pay $9 for a sandwich at some overpriced cafe when you can make it just as good – nay, better – at home?!
On the side I served one of my very favorite things – roasted broccoli.
That’d be broccoli crowns tossed with EVOO, garlic salt and pepper, then roasted for 15 minutes @ 425 degrees.
I promise you, if your kids won’t eat their veggies, try giving it to them this way. They taste like fries…
In other news, I’ve got a hot date with a cardboard box tonight…
HA! Ok, plus some poster board, tissue paper, tape and lights. I’m making a homemade light box! Blurry, dark and unappealing winter photos be damned – bright, ethereal, appetizing pictures will soon triumph!
I’m actually really excited to make this. (Here’s an example. Try not to snort milk out of your nose while reading this post – it’s hysterical.) I’m definitely a crafty, hands on kind of person. I like getting down and dirty with DIY projects, decor, etc. which is why I think I love cooking and baking so much. It’s so rewarding to have a product that you made with your own two hands, you know?!
Ben has banned me from BOTH sides of the basement, finished and unfinished, because apparently he needs the whole thing to whip up my Christmas gift (it’s actually really cute…his franticness, not the gift…although I’m sure the gift will be too… ) so I’ll be crafting in the comfort of my kitchen. I’ll let you know how it goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok – I’m off to get my DIY on!
PS get excited for the following news: there are only FOUR DAYS LEFT in the Breakstone Blogger Challenge!!! Aka you get to stop hearing about it from me everyday very, very soon – Merry Christmas! In the meantime, would you pretty, pretty please take a minute and cast your vote for my 3 holiday-themed dishes – Sweet & Spicy Pepper Jelly Dip, Bacon Wrapped Turkey Breast & Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies by clicking here?
Those of you who tell me you are voting everyday – you don’t even know how much that warms my heart! Thank you SO. SO. SO MUCH!!!!
Peace!
~~~~~
Tonight’s discussion topic comes courtesy of the husband: Would you rather have no brain or no heart?
Easy – no brain!
Yumm..roasted broccoli! Try it with some lemon zest, a little bit of lemon juice, and parmesan cheese after roasting..brings it to a whole new level!
I knew you’d stand up to the Chili. Whoever said you couldn’t eat it doesn’t know squat! and oh what I wouldn’t give for a panini press! every time you make that sandwich, I crave it!
voted for you today already! I’m that good I didn’t even need the reminder.
that is a great looking panini! i’ve been wanting some sort of panini/griddler for awhile. i think this post just sealed the deal!
i’d rather have a heart and no brain
I love spicy chili.
FYI: I bought myself a griddler for Christmas b/c of all the amazing things I’ve seen you do with them. My grandma, who techincially bought it, called me and goes “sweetheart…what is a grid-el-er?”
omg how much do you love Grandmothers?!
Seriously love mine a whole whole bunch!
Ok – you’ve convinced me. I need a griddler in my life. Wow!
ps. I just voted for ya!
pps. I’d rather have no brain.
What could Ben be up to? I love big surprises.
That panini looks fantastic!! I’ve never tried the apricot Polaner, but I have the raspberry and it’s great!
LOVE my griddler! It does make some great paninis. And ham is fabulous.
You will LOVE a lightbox! I just made mine recently and I cannot believe the difference a lightbox makes!
my gf and i got the griddler for christmas one year and we LOVE it! sooo many uses
i’ve never heard of chili with baked beans but you have convinced me to try your recipe! hope mine turns out as well as your did
good luck with the last few days of the challenge! i’ve been voting and really hope you win!
Your dinner looks fantastic! I love paninis! Glad to see you survived your Chicken Chili!
Laughed out loud while reading your post – everything from you feeling “frisky” at the grocery store to having a hot date with a cardboard box, love that sense of humor! P.S. the panini looks DELISH. For some reason at our school caf, they don’t understand that the cheese actually needs to melt before the panini is done. Needless to say, I’m wanting my own griddler
i need that panini asap! such an incredible combo
I’m getting a Griddler for Christmas!! So excited!
Glad to hear you are alive! Chili is a pretty resistant dish, boiling it back up probably killed any bacteria. I like my chili mild and hearty. I have never tried adding baked beans, definitely on the to do list!
So happy I found your blog! I’m adding you to my favorites tab. We just got our first Trader Joes here in Omaha and I’m so excited. I’ve have gone yet but I definitely going to grab that bread and make that panini.
Ponyo loves ham too. Such a cute movie.
Just thought I should share that Costco in West Des Moines has the Griddlers for $70 AND in the current coupon book (which you can request at the customer service desk) there is a coupon for $15 off (good thru Sunday, I think)!!! I showed it to my husband with a twinkle in my eye in hopes that he will get the hint. I have been wanting one forever… well, since you first posted about them
I saw a commercial for a griddler the other day and tweeted about how badly I wanted it!!!
And I also really need to make a light box – please post about how you did it and if it was easy or worth it!
Holy YUM!
Despite the apricot jam…
This sandwich looks AMAZING!
Not only have I been voting for you daily, I have a sneaking suspicion that I’ll be getting a Griddler for Christmas (mainly b/c I was with my parents when I showed it to them and then watched them purchase it!! Aren’t you amazed by my detective skills?!?!)
That panini looks amazing! I keep thinking of all these great kitchen-y gifts I’d like for Christmas…after my parents have finished their shopping, of course!
Random thought: Have you noticed that the new WDM TJ’s doesn’t carry Pumpkin Butter? Or am I totally missing it?!
Oh wow I definitely need to work a panini into my life in the next few days. I’v got some caramelized red onion chutney that would be perfect for the sweet component!
[...] I have to admit — the minute I opened this baby up, I knew what my first combo would be: a turkey, ham, & apricot panini a la IowaGirlEats (one of my absolute fave bloggers – love her!). And, just because I was [...]