Mango + brie panini wrapped with cucumber

Art is so much more than a drawing or a painting or a sculpture or a piece of music. There are so many ways in the world to express creativity that it’s impossible to count them all. One of my favorite ways to express my creativity is through cooking. Finding flavor profiles that complement each other, elevating classic dishes, developing a recipe, plating the food beautifully, and giving my creations to my loved ones to let them try it fills my soul just as much as the food fills their bellies.

One common dish that I love experimenting with is sandwiches. They can be so versatile and complex with their flavors and textures. Like this panini, for example. Inside is perfectly ripe mango and gorgeous briecheese. It might sound strange, but it’s the perfect balance of sweet and salty, with the natural sugars coming from the mango and the saltiness oozing from the brie. Grilling this sandwich into a panini takes it to the next level as the heat melts the cheese and makes it all ooey and gooey. It also crisps up the bread on the outside, creating a soft, yet crunchy and chewy texture. But that’s not all, folks!

I elevated this dish even more by wrapping the whole panini in sliced cucumber. Cucumber has a natural freshness and coolness that adds so much extra depth to the sandwich. The crunch of the cucumber and toasted bread work in perfect contrast to the soft mango and brie inside the panini and it’s just wonderful.

I encourage you to get creative with your sandwiches, add some ingredients you think might not go together, and see where it takes you. Don’t forget to plate everything prettily and share your most delicious creations with your friends and family.