How to Make a Panini

A panini, derived from the Italian word for small roll, consists of two slices of bread filled with meat and cheese. A panini sandwich is usually grilled in a panini press, but can be made at home without a press. Read on to learn how to make a panini.

Buy For Less - Panini Sandwiches

Sean & Cathy are going to wow us with this super great video on making panini sandwiches using a George Foreman grill. Use some pogacha bread or another type of thick bread of your choice. Next try some roasted red peppers and chèvre cheese (goat cheese) and any other ingredient you want to add. Spread the ingredients on your bread. Sean used roasted red peppers and then crumbled on some goat cheese. Spray the bread lightly with Pam before you put it on the grill. You want a good crust. Next you can make a neat little salad to go with your sandwich. In a bowl, add some Asian Cole Slaw in a bag, sliced cucumbers, onions, wishbone Italian dressing and a little bit of sesame oil. Mix that all up and put it on your plate with a few of the sliced cucumbers towards the front. Add your toasted panini sandwich to your plate and dig in.

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Introduction
- A panini sandwich is an elegant step up from a traditional grilled cheese. Be inventive with your ingredients. This page provides directions for how to make a panini without a panini press.
Step 1: How to Make a Panini
- The quantities given here can be varied to suit your taste—use them as general guidelines, but feel free to be creative!
Panini Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil or melted butter
- 2 slices crusty bread
- 2 ounces of prosciutto, or other meat of choice
- 2 teaspoons pesto, tapenade, balsamic vinaigrette, or other sauce
- 1 ounce of sliced or shredded cheese, such as mozzarella or fontina
- 1/4 cup of vegetables, such as basil, caramelized onions or roasted red peppers
Panini Equipment
- Nonstick frying pan
- Cast iron frying pan, which is smaller in diameter than the nonstick pan
- Pastry brush
- Spatula
How to Make a Panini
2. Clean the bottom of the cast iron pan, and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Preheat the nonstick pan on medium high.
4. Brush the outside of the bread with butter or olive oil
5. Layer the remaining ingredients inside the bread, making sure any wet ingredients go between the meat and the cheese.
6. Place the sandwich on the preheated frying pan.
7. Place the cast iron pan on top of the sandwich.
8. Cook for 4 minutes, then flip the sandwich over and cook another 4 minutes until done.
Step 2: Panini Tips
1. You can use a waffle iron or double sided griddle to replicate a panini press, instead of the two frying pan method.
2. Eliminate the butter or olive oil on the outside of the bread to reduce fat and calories.
3. Replace the meat with additional cheese and vegetables for a vegetarian panini
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