There is no shortage of gizmos and gadgets claiming to make kitchen tasks easier and cooking more efficient. Ask anyone who loves to cook what kind of tools they use in the kitchen and it won’t take you long to generate a lengthy list.
Here in our test kitchen, we’re no different. We use a combination of tools to create all sorts of recipes to pair with and help elevate the taste of our naan and flatbreads. With so many to choose from, it was hard to narrow it down but did, and here they are – our top three must-have kitchen tools.
Panini Press
If you’re a sandwich lover, a panini press is a must-have tool for its ‘hot-off-the-press’ sandwiches and its versatility. Perfect for getting those delicious-looking seared grill marks, the panini press is also a surprisingly multi-use tool that can cook and grill vegetables, make breakfasts (eggs & bacon), desserts (grilled fruit), and more! A good panini press should put a good amount of pressure, regulate temperature, and come with removable grates for easy cleaning.
Here in the Stonefire® Test Kitchen, our panini press never sees the inside of a cabinet. It’s the perfect tool to help bring out the authentic flavors in our award-winning naan and flatbreads. Give these recipes from our kitchen a try – there’s options here for everybody.
Roasted Chicken and Arugula Panini
You’ll never look at a chicken sandwich the same way after this recipe. This quick meal is composed of roasted chicken, arugula, pesto sauce and a sprinkle of pine nuts pressed between two pieces of Stonefire® Original Naan.
Garlic Naan Panini
A quick and simple recipe that can be done on the panini press, this recipe features our Stonefire® Roasted Garlic Naan. The savory, garlicky (with a hint of cilantro) flavor compliments the fired-grilled vegetables and chicken in this recipe.
Italian Ham Naan Panini
Another recipe using our Stonefire® Roasted Garlic Naan, the flavors make a great base for dried cuts and four different types of cheese.
Spicy Cuban Panini
Try a deli classic with a twist! Pressed between our Stonefire® Original Naan, this spicy sandwich of roasted ham, roast pork, dill pickles and provolone cheese is a hearty meal fit for any time of the year.
Indoor Grill Pan
If you’re dreaming about grilling on warm summer days but it happens to be the middle of winter, a grill pan is the perfect tool to help you fight the winter blues. The ridges of the pan create the texture and char marks we’re used to with traditional outdoor grills.
Here in the Stonefire® Test Kitchen we use it constantly for meat as well as veggies. The satisfying flavors and crunchy texture pair perfectly with our soft and buttery flatbreads.
Here are just a few recipes we recommend when it’s time to pull out an indoor grill pan.
Grilled Chicken Naan Wrap
Using our Stonefire® Original Mini Naan – a soft and fluffy base for a wrap – this recipe features grilled chicken layered between fresh vegetables and a deliciously nutty, tart and spiced dressing with a hint of sweetness.
Grilled Peach 3 Cheese White Pizza
Add sweet to your savory with this recipe featuring our Stonefire® Artisan Pizza Crust. Made with three cheeses and grilled peaches from your indoor grill pan, this is an incredibly satisfying meal or appetizer to start off the night!
Slow Cooker
If you’re a follower of this blog, you know we love slow cookers! A slow cooker is the ultimate weeknight dinner tool for pot-roasts, chilli, and stews. And it all stems from its simplicity – before heading out for the day, simply put all your ingredients into the pot and come home to dinner wafting in the air.
Most recipes are as simple as the appliance itself, resulting in tender, ‘fall off the bone meats and soft, flavorful veggies.
Already have a slow cooker?
Brilliant! We have a home-made beef stew recipe you need to try.
Created in our Stonefire® Test Kitchen, this stew gets even better when you add the subtle smoky flavor of Stonefire® Naan. Tear off a few pieces and enjoy the perfect scoop to a heartwarming meal.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
There’s nothing quite like Beef Stew to remind you of your childhood. It’s easily a dinnertime favorite, especially on cold nights at the cottage. The definition of comfort food, our recipe yields a rich flavor from incredibly tender chunks of beef and hearty vegetables.
Ingredients
- 2 – 2 1/2 lbs boneless bottom round roast, cut into 1-2 inch cubes
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
- 12 oz Guinness
- 3 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
- 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 – 1/2 lb baby Yukon gold potatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp fresh sage, minced
- 2 Tbsp beef base
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 1 – 2 Tbsp horseradish
- 1 Tbsp softened butter
- 1 Tbsp all purpose flour
Instructions
- Season bottom round beef cubes with 2 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Brown beef in a large skillet with vegetable oil over MED-HIGH heat for about 1-2 minutes per side. Then add beef to slow cooker.
- Pour Guinness and beef broth into the hot pan used to brown your beef and stir to soak up the beef flavor from browning. Let this sit for a few minutes while you add other ingredients to your slow cooker in the next step.
- Add carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onion, garlic, sage, beef base and tomato paste to slow cooker with your browned beef. Pour the beer/broth mixture from the skillet into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 – 7 1/2 hours.
- Mix together butter and flour to form a paste. Add horseradish and butter/flour paste to the slow cooker, stirring well. Cover and continue cooking for another 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with a side of Stonefire® Naan!
