Panini sandwiches have been a favorite of mine every since I went to San Francisco a few years ago and had my first taste of this wonderfully crispy grilled sandwich filled with whatever your heart … I mean your stomach desires.
After returning from that trip, I was on a mission to find a panini grill so that I could indulge making my own concoctions. I bought my first panini grill (yes, you read right …my first one) from Williams Sonoma.
I enjoyed thinking of variations for that oh so ono sandwich. I made some with turkey, pesto, cheese, tomato, cheese, basalmic vinegar … did I mention cheese??? I also made pastrami and swiss cheese paninis with a touch of mayo and whole grain mustard. I even got ambitious and grilled veggies like red and yellow peppers, onions, eggplant and mushrooms and topped it with Provolone cheese and even made some garlic aioli. That sandwich was a real winner! I even use my Sun Dried Tomato Dip as a sandwich spread in any panini.
I then thought I’d treat my work buddies with a panini lunch. Needless to say, I got them hooked and I would then lug my grill back and forth whenever we had another craving. Are you guessing what happened next? Of course …I bought another grill to leave at the office. I bought a Breville panini grill for the office. Both work very well, just sometimes a little tedious to clean, since the grills are not removable.
I found a bread at our Foodland Supermarket, which resembled a Foccacia, but felt like a Ciabatta. I wanted to try it, so I decided to make this tonight.
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This is what I created tonight:
Sliced the bread in half to make 2 layers.
Spread a little mayonnaise.
Spread pesto on one side.
Spread tomato bruschetta on the other side. (I bought the ready made one at Costco)
Layer with Provolone cheese and smoked turkey… as much as you like.
Next, I grilled some onions with a little basalmic vinegar.
Top with more cheese and place the other side of the bread on top.
Spray Olive Oil Cooking Spray on both sides of the bread …. then PRESS !
The varieties are endless …. even dessert paninis with walnut bread filled with chocolate …yummy !
Pomai Says:
October 7th, 2006 at 12:06 pmVisit Pomai
As usual, you’ve inspired me to want to make this! I still have yet to make your Buta Tofu, but I will!
I don’t even have a Foreman “grill”, but I’m now really considering investing in of these Breville grills you suggest. Does Costco in Hawaii Kai have one?
I’m thinkin’ of making a Panini…. BURGER! ha ha!
Wha’d'ya think? Work? No work? I figure the grilled flavor of the burger PLUS grilled, flattened bread just might.
Needless to say, your multi-dimensional layers of Italian flavors in there sound so ono!
Hey, that’s why your blog is called “lindy’s ONO Recipes!
su-su Says:
October 7th, 2006 at 5:28 pmVisit su-su
Can’t wait for Wednesday when I can eat this again….yummy! I’m salivating awleady…
Lindy Says:
October 7th, 2006 at 7:26 pmVisit Lindy
pomai: da burger panini sounds kinda ono too! i just love da crispy, grilled bread .. if you use a pretty firm bread ..should be a winnah! my first panini grill from william sonoma is a krups. both are good, but remember no removable grill. if you have counter space, cuisinart has a neat looking one that goes on sale at macy’s. those grills flip to make a flat surface too. the main things is that it comes out to make washing a breeze…its just thicker than the typical panini grill. the 2 that i have is not as easy. i use a brush and try to pour water on the grills while holding it with one hand. but both stand up nicely on the counter so not to take up so much space.
whichever grill…i love paninis.thanks for visiting!
susu:thanks … yeah any excuse to have paninis..i’m for that!
lodee Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 2:17 pmVisit lodee
i absolutely cannot wait until wednesday!! are you going to be using that bread from foodland this time?
do you know anything about the bella cucina panini press? it’s going to be on sale at macy’s this weekend for $34.99. so cheap, though….i wonder if it’s any good?! the cuisinart is on sale, too, for $129.99 but today is the last day of the sale hmmmmm…..decisions, decisions…..but no matter which brand i buy, i don’t think my paninis will come out as ono as yours!!
Lindy Says:
October 9th, 2006 at 4:59 pmVisit Lindy
thanks, lodee! i don’t think i will use that bread …it was a little hard for my liking. it was crunchy, but i still prefer the foccacia or the sourdough bread from costco. remember when i tried the ciabatta bread from costco ..this bread is made by the same company.
i think if you are only going to make paninis with your grill, the bella cucina may do. if you want to grill other things …veggies, meats ..etc., you may want to invest in the cuisinart. maybe you should wait till christmas … lots of sales then. the cuisinart may go down even more. wat u tink?
Bryan O in Austin TX Says:
August 17th, 2007 at 6:34 pmVisit Bryan O in Austin TX
On my “third” Panini. I got the W. Puck with non-removable plates: EXCELLENT but the non-removable was a bust. Bought the W.P. with the removable and it was a bust from the start. Sorry Wiring, bad connectors and poor design. Chinese junkpile. I bought a Cuisinart GR4. While it is from China there was supervision. Excellent “nesting” of the electric heating elements into the plate casting gives good grilling. The plates need to be a bit thicker for heat transfer. Very good performance and functions as described. Good value. Needs better recipe book!
Lindy Says:
August 19th, 2007 at 9:24 pmVisit Lindy
good to know about the cuisinart. i haven’t talked to anyone who had one. it looks very durable…just that it would take up a lot of space on my counter. the krups one stands on it’s side for storing .. takes up little space.
muffin recipe Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 9:45 amVisit muffin recipe
Can’t wait for Wednesday when I can eat this again….yummy! I’m salivating awleady…
french recipes Says:
September 5th, 2008 at 10:53 amVisit french recipes
i have always wanted a panini press, i just havent done a lot of research im sure they are pretty pricy!
german recipes Says:
September 11th, 2008 at 2:14 pmVisit german recipes
what a great blog site, i love panini’s i finally got my grill and oven roasted turkey.