This Strawberry, Brie & Arugula Panini is a simple but delicious way to enjoy ripe, juicy strawberries! A classic comfort food with a springtime twist!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by California Giant Berry Farms as part of an ongoing partnership. As always, all opinions here are my own.
Strawberries are to spring what pumpkin is to fall. It’s the flavor you think of when the flowers begin to bloom and the temps begin to rise. You know spring is officially in the air when you pass by the strawberries at the grocery store and the sweet aroma is so strong, you can’t help but put a few pints in your basket!
If you’re anything like me, ripe, juicy berries might cause you to go a little overboard when you’re stocking up. The next thing you know, you’re racing against the clock and needing to figure out how to use them all up before things start to get “fuzzy.”
Fear not, my friends. Strawberries aren’t just for simple snacking, baking and desserts. They can also make an amazing accompaniment to all sorts of dishes — from salads to entrees… to sandwiches.
Enter the Strawberry, Brie & Arugula Panini.
You might not think to slice up your berries and stick them in a sandwich — least of all a grilled cheese! — but that’s why I’m here to do the thinking for you.
Thick slices of challah bread envelop melty, creamy brie cheese, sweet California Giant strawberries and peppery arugula in this easy panini that’s anything but ordinary. The strawberries {which really are naturally quite giant, by the way} brighten up the flavors and help kick things up a notch. A sandwich like this is simple enough to make any day of the week, or special enough to serve to a lunch guest.
But let’s not stop at lunch! Whether you’re adding strawberries to breakfast, dinner or dessert, I’ve got some of my favorite ways to enjoy strawberries at any time of the day:
Breakfast-Worthy
Savory Strawberry Dishes
Frozen Berry Recipes
Strawberry Sweetness
No matter how you enjoy California Giant strawberries, it’s sure to be a winning bite! And speaking of winning, you could win a $100 Visa gift card by entering the Follow Us to Our Farm Sweepstakes! Just enter the 16-digit code on your California Giant strawberry container here.
What’s YOUR favorite way to enjoy plump, juicy strawberries?
Strawberry, Brie & Arugula Panini
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 pieces thick-sliced challah {or your favorite} bread
- 2.5 ounces brie sliced
- 2-3 California Giant strawberries sliced
- 1/4 cup arugula
Instructions
- Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-low heat.
- Meanwhile, arrange brie, strawberries and arugula on one slice of bread. Top with second slice of bread. {Yes, I just told you how to assemble a sandwich.}
- Melt butter on grill pan or skillet and place sandwich on pan.
- Place a press {or an inverted plate and weigh down with a can} on top of the sandwich and heat for about 2-3 minutes. Carefully flip and repeat the process on the other side for another 2-3 minutes or until the cheese becomes melty.
- Remove remove from pan, cut half with a sharp knife. Serve hot.
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