Grilled Steak Panini with Fontina Cheese and Caramelized Onions

I think if I wasn't married and didn't have any kids or a mortgage, then I'd own a sandwich shop. Of course I do have all of those things and I'm glad that I do – really, really I am – but I still like to make a tasty sandwich. I think my love for sandwiches comes from the way I like to eat; I love to eat everything together at the same time. The sandwich is perfect for this – shove a bunch of stuff between some awesome bread and lift-stuff-chew-repeat.

Another love of mine is wine (with or without a good sandwich…I am not picky). I was recently asked to try out a new free mobile phone app by Kendall Jackson , K-J Recommends. As part of the ask, I was also sent a couple of bottles to try. 

One of the wines I received was a 2010 Vintners Reserve Pinot Noir. Described as having cherry, strawberry and raspberry fruit flavors along with an accent of cola and mild spices. I decided to make a grilled steak panini sandwich which is a perfect pairing for the wine. I marinated the steak in cola and balsamic glaze for 24 hours and after grilling it quickly over a high heat I prepared it for the panini press. I laid the steak on some rye bread and topped it with fontina cheese, finally adding some caramelized onions. The sandwich was crunchy on the outside and moist with a bounty of flavor on the inside. It paired fantastically with the Pinot and made for an awesome lunch.

The new Kendall Jackson wine app, available for Apple iPhone and the Android, is quite genius. I admit to not being a huge wine expert tending to buy the same varieties most of the time. I like reds and whites equally, with my very favorite being a deep red Californian Zinfandel. The new K-J app is simple to use and isn't filled with wine jargon which goes above my head. The app also educates by telling you which wines pair well with simple garden ingredients. For example, by using the color-coded sliding scale and clicking on Kendall Jackson's Sauvignon Blanc, you can see that it pairs well with lemon, asparagus or apple.

I really liked this app, It gave me great information as well as inspiried me to integrate the flavors into a recipe.

Prep Time- 4-24 hours    Cook Time- 8-10 minutes    Serves- 2

Recipe for Grilled Steak Sandwich with cheese and caramelized onions:

1 pound skirt steak

1 1/2 cups cola

1 Tablespoon balsamic glaze

1 onion

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup Kendall Jackson Pinot Noir

4 slices fontina cheese

2 large slices rye bread or any rustic bread

Olive oil for the panini press

Place the skirt steak in a shallow dish and add the cola and balsamic glaze. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Slice the onion into thin slices. Heat a saute pan over a medium heat and add the butter. Once melted turn the heat to low and add the sliced onions. Cook for about 10 minutes until they begin to darken. 

Add the wine and the sugar to the onions and cook for a further 30-40 minutes or until the onions are dark and sticky like a jam. 

Take the steak from the marinade and heat a large saute pan over a high heat, add 1 Tablespoon olive oil to it and then add the steak. You may have to cut it to make it fit and that's okay. This part could also be done over a barbecue. Sear the meat over a high heat for about five minutes each side or longer if you like it more well done.

Let the steak rest for five minutes then slice across the grain into thin strips. Heat a panini press until it's ready. Brush the bread with a little olive oil and place about two tablespoons of the onions onto the bottom slice of bread. Next lay the sliced steak onto the onions and top with the sliced cheese.

Place the other slice of bread on top and brush with olive oil. Once the panini press is hot enough, place the sandwich onto the grills and cook for about 8-10 minutes. 

Let rest for five minutes and serve warm.

Disclaimer: I received samples of Kendall Jackson wine in connection with this post. The app is free and all thoughts and opinions are my own.