Suzie The Foodie

Food Writer, Photographer and Product Reviewer

Follow Suzie the Foodie

Facebooktwitterpinterestinstagramby feather
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Recipes
  • Product Reviews
  • Older Posts
  • Instant Pot
You are here: Home / news / Panini Toscano voted Canada’s “Gratest” Grilled Cheese

Panini Toscano voted Canada’s “Gratest” Grilled Cheese

August 26, 2010 by Suzie the Foodie 10 Comments

Normally I do not post food news here, just on my Facebook group, but how can I not share the award-winning recipe and story?!

Chef Michael Howell
Chef Michael Howell from Nova Scotia takes top honours. Photo courtesy Dairy Farmers of Canada.

“This wonderful Cook–Off and my fellow chefs have all shown us that making a winning grilled cheese sandwich is simple – all you need is bread, your favourite Canadian cheese and some imagination.” 
~ Chef Michael Howell 

Dairy Farmers of Canada today announced that Panini Toscano has been named Canada’s “gratest” grilled cheese. Chef Michael Howell of The Tempest restaurant in Wolfville, Nova Scotia stole the show with his delicious creation at the Grate Canadian Grilled Cheese Cook-Off, which saw top chefs from across Canada put their spin on this classic Canadian favourite.

The winning grilled cheese combined the flavours of figs, prosciutto, arugula, and Canadian Gouda cheese from Fox Hill in Nova Scotia. The Cook-Off was organized by Dairy Farmers of Canada to take the grilled cheese sandwich to a whole new level and showcase the outstanding quality, variety, taste and versatility of Canadian cheese made from 100% Canadian milk. The winning grilled cheese sandwich was chosen by a jury of Canada’s top food writers: Rita DeMontis, Lucy Waverman, and Corey Mintz.

Panini Toscano
Award-winning Panini Toscano by Chef Michael Howell. Photo courtesy Dairy Farmers of Canada.

Panini Toscano
By Chef Michael Howell

Ingredients:
1 fresh ciabatta bun, about 5“ (12cm) square
1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon aioli
1 ripe fig cut into 4-5 slices
2 slices of Parma prosciutto thinly shaved
2 slices 1 oz (30g) each Canadian Havarti cheese, 1/8“ (2mm ) thick
1 oz (30g) fresh baby arugula
½ roasted red pepper, peeled & cut into ¾“ (2 cm) slices
1 tbsp (15 mL) balsamic vinaigrette

Lemon Aioli Ingredients
¼ cup (60 mL) prepared olive oil mayonnaise
Juice and zest from ½ a lemon
1 clove garlic

Balsamic Vinaigrette Ingredients
1 tsp (5 ml) balsamic vinegar
Pinch of salt and pepper
½ tsp (2 mL) Dijon mustard
Pinch of sugar
Juice of ½ lemon
¼ cup (60 mL) extra virgin olive oil

Preparation & Cooking
Mix aioli ingredients together and let flavours mingle for ½ an hour.

Split the fresh ciabatta in ½ and brush both sides liberally with the lemon aioli.

Layer one slice of havarti cheese on the bottom of the bun, then top with the sliced figs, prosciutto, couple sprigs of arugula and finish with other slice of cheese.

Top with the other side of the bun, place in a pre-heated panini press and grill until cheese is melting and bread is lightly marked.

If using a grill or barbeque, place a weight on top of sandwich and flip halfway through cooking.

While sandwich is grilling, make vinaigrette by combining first five ingredients in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in oil until incorporated.

In other small bowl, dress arugula with 1 tbsp of vinaigrette and place on a plate.

Toss two slices of red pepper in same bowl to dress lightly and place on top of salad.

When sandwich is ready, remove from press and split in ½ diagonally.

Place around salad and serve immediately.

Lightly brush the bun on both sides with extra virgin olive oil and if using a grill or bbq place a weight on top of sandwich and flip ½ way through cooking.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Share

Filed Under: news

Comments

  1. Debra She Who Seeks says

    August 26, 2010 at 7:52 pm

    Love the trophy with the grater on top! I hate to be a nit-picky purist but is this actually a grilled cheese sandwich? Isn’t it really a fancy-shmancy ham-and-cheese sandwich instead? Hey, I know what “prosciutto” means!

    Reply
  2. AvaDJ says

    August 26, 2010 at 8:27 pm

    Congratulations to the Chef. That sounds like my kind of sandwich!

    Reply
  3. wayner100 says

    August 26, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    C’mon Debra. It’s grilled, it’s cheese, ergo Grilled cheese. PS ducked to that site the other day and found a great Grilled cheese & shrimp Sandwich. There are some good ones there. I think I’d like that winner too !!

    Reply
  4. Brandi Reynolds says

    August 27, 2010 at 12:00 am

    yum! say…do you think it would still be good without the prosciuotto? I’m not eating meat these days….

    Reply
  5. Erica says

    August 27, 2010 at 12:32 am

    I was at the CNE and watched the whole show…..I even got a sample of some of the sandwiches. Also they handed out cheese graters and some other lil’ gadgets. I really enjoyed the show. Thanks for sharing this post.

    Reply
  6. Suzie Ridler says

    August 27, 2010 at 12:55 am

    Absolutely! I don’t eat pork and I would still totally make this. Havarti and figs? Sounds good to me! 🙂

    BTW, Havarti is a a fabulous melting cheese so I think it qualifies.

    Erica, that is so cool you got to see the show! 🙂 I am glad you enjoyed the post, you are very welcome.

    Reply
  7. marybin and mike says

    August 27, 2010 at 3:36 am

    Thanks Suzie for posting this. I had a great time competing and was honored to win. I LOVE cheese! IT is good without prosciutto but will miss that salty component that the meat brings to the sandwish.
    Michael Howell
    Tempest

    Reply
  8. Suzie Ridler says

    August 27, 2010 at 12:34 pm

    Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting Michael, I appreciate it! Yes, without the prosciutto it will not be as complete but I think this can still be enjoyed by vegetarians, just not the same. Congratulations again Michael!

    Reply
  9. JavaChick says

    August 27, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    I have heard of Tempest but have never had a chance to go (I don’t live in NS anymore). Congrats to the chef!

    Reply
  10. Sage says

    August 29, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    Just found you: a Canadian food blogger. that panini looks an sounds fantastic.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Product Review: President’s Choice Ascolana Fried Olives Stuffed with Cheese

Product Review: President’s Choice Ascolana Fried Olives Stuffed with Cheese

Sweet! First 2022 Holiday President's Choice Insider's Report product review is up! Olives and cheese? Yes please!

Search Suzie the Foodie

I Am Alive!

I Am Alive!

It has been over a decade and my time as Suzie The Foodie is over! Thanks for all the love and support and remember, do not NOT feed the trolls. ~ Suzie The Foodie

Save $25 On A Magical Butter Kit!

Save $25 On A Magical Butter Kit!

Not only can you save $25 on a Magical Butter Kit with this coupon you help support me and my site when you purchase one!

Want a big discount on your purchase? Use the coupon code "SUZIE” when you check out!

Instant Pot Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato And Kale

Instant Pot Spicy Peanut Soup with Sweet Potato And Kale

Super fast and delicious soup made in the Instant Pot and saved my bacon!

My WordPress Guru

Special thanks to my WordPress Guru and long-time friend Mike D. Without your help, this website would not have been possible.

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in