Blackberry Basil Fontina Grilled Cheese

Mmm berry good. 

I'm a big fan of grilled cheese. Last New Year's Eve my friend lovingly made everyone post-party grilled cheeses, and I jacked them all and ran upstairs with them. But that's a story for another time... These grilled cheese paninis are something special. They feel summery and decadent, because it's not every day you add sweetness to a savory cheesy sandwich. This fourth of july weekend it just felt right to enjoy one of these blackberry-stuffed beauties in the backyard under the shade of an umbrella. 

Shopping List: 

1 basket of blackberries

fontina cheese

1 bunch of basil

sourdough bread

butter to dot the bread

kosher salt

Simple as that. Note my sassy "Where's my chauffeur" nail polish. 

The best bread to use for paninis is sourdough. There's no good alternative. It gets crispy and crunchy much better than wheat bread, and surprisingly, sourdough is sugar free--something I can get on board with! Lightly butter the outsides of the bread slices so they will brown and sizzle in the panini press (or in the pan.) 

Shred the fontina onto the bottom slice. Cover it in blackberries--the more the merrier! Slice the basil leaves and scatter them evenly on the bread. Add MORE fontina cheese until your heart's content. Sprinkle a pinch of salt in to cut the sweetness of the berries. Close the sandwich and lower the press. 

Let the sandwich stay in the panini press for a good long while so the cheese is melted and the flavors come together all gooey and delicious. 

Kinda sultry, right?

Note my mother's darling 4th of July centerpieces. 

The cheesier the better...

Don't bother me. I'm eating.

Another idea is to use blueberries and thinly sliced strawberries for a more patriotic grilled cheese. Also, next time I think I'll make a lemon butter to add some tartness. But this variety is good, too. Promise! 

Happy 4th of July weekend. Keep the celebration rolling, friends! 

English Breakfast Bircher Muesli

Bircher muesli is hands-down my favorite British food. 

(Disclaimer: This isn't the finished product, just the prettiest picture I have.) 

It even trumps Mcvitie's dark chocolate digestive biscuits, which is saying A LOT. Since my semester in London came to an end, I have been CRAVING bircher muesli. It's a common breakfast and afternoon snack in the UK, packed with fruit, oats, nuts and yogurt. Basically, it's heaven in a bowl. The fun part is that bircher muesli is as versatile as you are creative. My version includes toasted coconut, blueberries, apple and sliced almonds but you can add in whatever you like. I've had it with pistachios, nectarines, pear and pomegranate seeds. It should be a mash-up of all your favorites! I highly recommend bircher muesli to fans of acai bowls and oatmeal ("porridge" to the Brits). But it's different! It's special! And you're gonna love it. 

Shopping List: 
1 cup of oats
3/4 cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt
3/4 cup of unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup of coconut (not pictured)
2 handfuls of blueberries
2 handfuls of sliced almonds
1 fuji apple
drizzle of honey 
(diet coke not included in recipe-- hehe) 

This recipe serves 2-3, if you're into sharing...

Start by soaking the oats in the almond milk, so they moisten and expand. I mixed in a drizzle of honey. Set in the fridge for one hour. 

Typical Bircher muesli has finely shredded apple. BUT, my mom doesn't have a fancy apple shredder, so I cut  the apple into slices using her fancy apple slicer. Then I cut off the skin and sliced the apple into thin slivers. Squeeze lemon on top to prevent browning. 

After 1 hour, bring out the oat, milk, honey concoction. Add the yogurt. 

 Now add the fruit, nuts and toasted coconut. Add another drizzle of honey if you're feeling a bit naughty. 

Mix it all up and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours.

Enjoy, Cheerio!