Red Pepper and Artichoke Panini

Red Pepper and Artichoke Panini: Red pepper hummus, artichokes, turkey and provolone for good measure, all enveloped in a crispy, buttery crust… all courtesy of my new Panini Press.

It all started with a Williams and Sonoma gift card. A gift card that I forgot at home on the day that I intended to buy said Panini Press. Luckily, it was a workshop day, so I had the glorious freedom to make a “quick” stop at home for the gift card over lunch.

But not so fast. It was blizzard-ing outside. Which meant that my “quick” trip home actually took 55 minutes of my lunch hour. Oh well, I thought. At least I can have a delicious panini (or 2!) for dinner.

After work, I braved the blizzard and the unplowed mall parking lot. I put on my boots, pulled up my hood, and trudged through the snow up to the door of W and S, where I was urgent to get inside. But when I pulled on the door – Nothing. I looked up to find a sign on the door: “CLOSED for inventory.”

Unbelievable. And I bet you wouldn’t believe that when I went back the very next day, again braving blizzard-like conditions, and asked for a Panini Press, the salesperson looked at me with alarm and said, “You should have called! We’re all out!”

So here I am, only just three weeks later, finally enjoying that buttery crust with the melted cheesy filling that is total perfection.