Happy Monday, everyone!
First of all, thank you so much for your sweet comments on Friday’s post about marriage! I loved reading all of your comments about your own relationships! Sounds like Brandon isn’t the only guy who likes his food “vanilla!” 
——-
On Saturday morning, Brandon and I decided to check out a local farmers’ market at the Suwanee Town Center.
They had so many fun booths!
Not only could you find fresh fruits and vegetables, but they also had pies, fresh bread, cupcakes, jams/jellies, and much more!
The guy selling farm-raised meats and eggs was particularly popular! We’ll have to try his products when we actually have a real kitchen.
After perusing all of the booths, we decided on a few fun treats.
We both love fresh salsa, so this booth immediately peaked our interest.
We eventually walked away with a container of “Salsa Roja.” And that huge container was only $5.50! Pretty reasonable, for such a fresh, delicious product!
We also purchased some organic strawberries. You could smell these beautiful strawberries as you walked up to the booth … a sure sign of a fresh product! And they seriously tasted 10x better than the kind I usually buy at the store. Yum!
Our final purchase at the farmers’ market was this granola. This is some of the tastiest granola that I’ve ever eaten … especially with the addition of the blueberries! Deee-lish!
There was also an art festival taking place at the Town Center today. I’m not a huge art-person, but I do love photography. And we are needing to decorate our new house. So of course, I couldn’t resist these:
We met the photographer, and he had taken both of these photos while in a small town outside of Paris, France. Aren’t they gorgeous? I think the one on the left will look great in our new kitchen! 
And that was our day at the farmers’ market! I can’t wait to go back again soon!
—————-
Now let’s switch gears.
I’m pretty much a sucker for any sandwich containing melted cheese. And if you’re anything like me, you will love this Panini.
Tomato-Basil Panini
Makes 2 sandwiches
(Modified from this recipe)
Ingredients:
- 4 slices hearty whole-wheat bread (use the good stuff)
- Butter (maybe 1 tbsp)
- 1 Roma tomato, sliced thinly
- 8-10 fresh basil leaves, torn into pieces
- handful of baby spinach, torn into pieces
- several thin slices of jarred, roasted red peppers
- several slices of pepperjack cheese
- a few pieces of pre-cooked sliced chicken (optional)
(Note: sorry for the vague measurements … but it’s really just about how much YOU want to use of each ingredient!)
Directions:
- Butter one side of each piece of bread. The buttered side will be the side facing out as you build your sandwiches.
- Build your sandwiches: Add cheese, tomato, basil, spinach, and roasted red peppers. Also add chicken, if desired.
- Set a burner to medium heat. Put your sandwich in the skillet (if you have room, you can put both sandwiches in the skillet at the same time. I, sadly, did not have the room!).
- Put something heavy on the sandwich to help press it down. (You can see what I used below. It may look silly, but it worked!).
- After a couple of minutes, carefully flip the sandwich over so the other side can brown.
- Once the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted, it’s ready to be enjoyed!
You guys. You really need to try this Panini.
The red peppers add a slight sweetness, and the pepperjack cheese gives a big kick of flavor!
I had the meatless version, but I added chicken to Brandon’s Panini and he LOVED it.
His exact quote: “Yeah, this needs to be added to the rotation.”
He also inserted several “mmmm’s” as he ate it.
Success, in my book.
Question for ya …
What’s your favorite thing to buy from a farmers’ market?
Do you notice a difference between store-bought produce and farm-fresh produce?
Favorite thing to add into a Panini?
What did you do this weekend?
That panini looks awesome! Tomato and basil is one of my favorite combos and the addition of the red pepper sounds great!
Laurie @Love, Laugh, Laurie recently posted..Successful Bachelorette Party
Loved the photos – #2 (the booths) you should post to Pinterest. Interesting. Liked the photos you purchased. And the Panini looked tasty! Will try that after my fresh vegetables start growing in my new Tower Garden. I am so excited to grow fresh, vine ripened vegies! Check it out at https://janpetters.towergarden.com/. It should arrive this week so not sure if I will have vegies to bring with me when I visit but it should be well on its way by that time!
Love you!
Mom
mmm that panini sounds incredible! my hubby sint a real sandwich lover, but maybe I jsut havent made him the RIGHT one!!
Kat recently posted..Swing–Squat Thrust Ladder
i LOVE farmer’s markets! i can’t wait until our’s opens up. all of the fresh produce is the best.
i’ve made a similar panini before, and i totally agree – it’s amazing! i love pretty much anything with melty cheese though.
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..Get To Know Us {Ryan and Molly}
we spend a lot of our saturday mornings at the local farmer’s market, which is one of my favorite places to be. looks like you scored some serious yummage! =) glad to hear that you had great weekend!
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..biscoff rice krispie treats
I have been to one farmer’s market so far this season, but I can’t wait to attend more! My favorite produce to buy there is corn, tomatoes, and squash/zucchini. I can totally tell the difference between veg bought at a farmer’s market and those bought at the grocery. That panini sounds amazing! Tomato and fresh basil are right up my alley, especially when melted cheese is included.
Jana @ Newly Wife Healthy Life recently posted..Lucky to Know Her: Part 2
mmm what a yummy panini! I havent checked out the farmers markets around us but its something i’ve really been wanting to do! I love fresh fruits and veggies
i had a really nice weekend, so glad the weather was awesome. now we’re back to rain again this week, go figure, lol
Theresa recently posted..Team Pride and a shopping excursion
Nothing beats fresh salsa!!!! Yum!!!
Andrea @ Andrea Out Loud! recently posted..Mike, You’re So Refreshing
Melted cheese on pretty much anything is pretty much an essential in my book (and kitchen). These look pretty amazing. I love that you added that the buttered side goes OUT. I hate to admit it but for the longest time I didn’t really understand how people got the outside of their bread so crispy and yummy. That the butter goes on the outside is almost NEVER mentioned in recipes. I know, I have checked. Thank goodness I have a smart husband who can school me in these things!
AAAnd I’m jealous of your salsa. I can’t get enough lately. I love farmers markets so much!!!
Cinnamon @ eatpraytri recently posted..Movie Monday: What’s in my Netflix queue
Haha well normally people both sides of the bread for a grilled cheese. But I don’t really understand the point of buttering the inside. And it’s a little less fat/calories this way!
I know!! I put the butter on the inside a couple times and I was like, “what is the point of this? This makes no sense!!” I’m a little clueless sometimes.
Cinnamon @ eatpraytri recently posted..Movie Monday: What’s in my Netflix queue
I’ve actually never been to a farmer’s market because there aren’t any close to where I live, but I’m hoping to visit one this summer!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..A Michigan Bridal Shower
The panini looks delicious…and I was needing some more uses for my basil plant. It’s out of control!
Our farmers market here is sooo tiny, but my favorite thing to buy are purple potatoes. They’re so fun to cook with!
I can’t wait to plant some fresh herbs when we get into our house. It’s so much cheaper than always buying them at the store!
What a fun weekend! I love going to farmers markets, my favorite thing to buy there is any/every fresh fruits and veggies!
Alyssa @ fit and fun in third recently posted..Weekend of love!
Happy Monday
So that panini you made – EPIC!! don’t you just love how cheese, basil & tomatoes pair so beautifully!?
Kailey recently posted..Zone Bar – White Chocolate Macadamia Nut
Oh absolutely. It’s such an incredible combination!
There’s nothing that makes me more excited then going to a farmer market! (ESp when you can try some of the different foods they have)
Jocelyn @ Peace Love Nutrition recently posted..25 Tips for a better life
Those finds at the farmer’s market look amazing. And I LOVE tomato basil it is the perfect combination. Sounds like a great weekend.
Elizabeth @ Chocolate Drops and Pearls recently posted..First Beach Day!
I love buying fruits that are normally too expensive to buy in the grocery store, like pineapples and coconuts! And cheese. Lots and lots of cheese!
I am a big fan of the Dekalb Farmer’s market (if you have not been yet, it is a MUST; they have everything you could ever dream about) even though it is not all local produce and more like a cheap international grocery store than your typical farmer’s market.
Leigh told me about that place!! We definitely need to check it out soon!
I love that panini! Fresh basil is one of my summer favorites
Baking Serendipity recently posted..Brownie Batter Popcorn
That looks like a real Farmers market!! Much better then the one in EC lol
That panini looks pretty much perfect to me! I love basil SO much, and melted peppejack cheese makes anything taste good. Fresh produce is ALWAYS better in my opinion. My favorite thing to buy during the summer is fresh berries. We grow our own vegetables, so I don’t get those at the market once ours start coming in. I also like the fresh chocolate milk!
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Juice
Oh how I love farmers markets! I hit up a new one in Savannah this past weekend and scored some delicious hot pepper pecan jelly. I could smother it on everything!
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) recently posted..Vegetable Quinoa Biscuits for Baby
Oh my goodness that sounds amazing!!!
You are speaking my language when you talk about Farmers Markets. We have been in the city for almost a year now and I must say that my favorite thing about city life is all of the amazing Farmers Markets! We shop every weekend at Dekalb Farmers Market for all of our green goodness, but love to visit outdoor locations as well. We live in Brookhaven and they have a very sweet more upscale market complete with linens on the tables. It makes for a nice Saturday morning. When shopping we go for color, lots and lots of color.
You’re the 3rd church friend who has told me about Dekalb Farmers Market.
Brandon and I need to get ourselves there soon!
I will have to make this sandwich with all of that basil I just planted
I love farmers markets! You look so happy to be there too! YAY
Meg recently posted..Planting, BBQing, and a Recipe
I love farmer’s markets and all of the fresh produce!
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes recently posted..WIAW: Factor 30
Pingback: One Panini, Two Panini, Three Panini, Four. | Confessions of a (Not-So) Domesticated Newlywed