Make delicious paninis with a number of creative and innovative recipe ideas. This healthy and quick meal is sure to fill you up and satisfy your family and friends for lunch or dinner. You can also make paninis for dessert to enjoy at the end of the night! Many cookware stores sell panini grills, but you don't really need one. Try the method below to make delicious paninis in just a few minutes.
Ingredients
- Bread
- Slices of meat
- Cheese
- Olive oil
Step
Part 1 of 3: Making Panini
Step 1. Choose your bread
Paninis can be made using Italian bread, ciabatta, focaccia, sourdough, or whatever type of bread you prefer.
- If you are using a loaf, slice the bread into 2cm thick slices. You can also slice the bread lengthwise.
- Keep the top of the bread turned inward. If you try to bake bread with a curved top, such as a baguette, you will find that keeping it from rolling and filling the panini out can be difficult. To fix this, turn the loaf upside down so that its flat surface is in contact with the toaster.
Step 2. Spread olive oil on the inside of the bread
Use a brush or butter knife to apply a little olive oil to the inside of the bread. You'll need to make a thin layer at this point, so make sure not to put too much olive oil on the bread.
If you use too much oil, the bread will get soggy
Step 3. Add cheese
Place a slice of cheese on each slice of bread, over the olive oil. Adding a sheet of cheese on each side of the sandwich will help the bread stick together as it bakes.
- You can also use grated cheese.
- If you prefer, you can place the cheese on only one side.
Step 4. Add stuffing
You can be as creative as you like with the panini and use a combination of sliced or shredded meat, or make a vegetarian panini with sliced zucchini. Add two slices of bacon or zucchini on a piece of bread.
You can increase the amount of filling if you prefer a thicker panini
Step 5. Give it a little extra flavour
Try adding some diced onions or fresh cilantro. You can also sprinkle a little salt and pepper, garlic, or add a little bit of your favorite chili sauce.
If you want to add vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, or tomatoes to the panini, wait until after baking. This will ensure that the vegetables stay crunchy and don't get soggy
Step 6. Cover your sandwich and butter the outside of the bread
Make sure not to put too much filling in the panini or the inside of the bread won't warm up properly while baking.
You can also use margarine
Part 2 of 3: Baking Panini
Step 1. Preheat the panini grill (optional)
Baking paninis in a panini grill is simple and easy. Just place your sandwich in it and put the lid on. Bake for 3-5 minutes.
Bake according to the appliance manufacturer's directions until the bread is golden and crispy
Step 2. Preheat the pan
Add butter or oil in a skillet and heat over medium to low heat until the oil starts to heat up or until the butter melts. Don't let the butter turn brown. Without a panini grill, your best bet is to use a frying pan, but you can use a regular frying pan if that's all you have. Place the sandwiches on the preheated roasting pan.
Step 3. Heat a separate cast iron pan on another stove until hot
Since you're not using a panini toaster, you'll still need something to press your sandwich in. This is the stage when the cast iron pan is used. You can use metal pots or pans, but cast iron pans work best.
Be careful when handling the pan. Cast iron pans can get so hot that you may need to use a skillet to pick them up once they are heated
Step 4. Press panini
Place a heated iron or metal baking sheet until it touches your sandwich. The weight of the pan on the top of the sandwich will create the same effect as that obtained from a panini toaster. Remember, there are other options besides cast iron pans. Here are some other things you can use:
- Use a lid on a pot or grill. This works best if you bake the panini for a few minutes on each side while pressing the lid on.
- Use a pan. If you have a large spaghetti or soup pot, you can put a stone in it and press your panini with it.
- Try a homemade panini toaster by wrapping the bricks in foil and using them to press your sandwich.
Step 5. Bake your panini
Let the panini bake like this for 3-5 minutes or until the bottom of the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Step 6. Flip it over
Remove the cast iron pan and use a spatula to flip the panini over. Place the cast iron pan back on the panini. Bake the panini until the cheese is melted and the bottom is golden brown.
Step 7. Add vegetables
Remove the panini from the pan and slowly open it. Place lettuce, spinach, or any other vegetable you like. Adding greens at the last minute will help keep them crunchy.
Step 8. Cut the paninis with a straight edged knife
A sharp, straight knife, as opposed to a serrated knife, will ensure a smooth cut on the finished panini. Serve with extra chips, a bowl of soup, or a delicious salad and enjoy!
Part 3 of 3: Get Creative with Panini
Step 1. Experiment with different breads
You can use almost any type of bread you want. You can even wear a bagel. Visit a fresh bakery or try pretzels, pita bread, or even plain white bread. The options are endless!
Step 2. Get creative with cheese
Try the tangy cheddar cheese or the spicy pepper jack. Grate the cheese yourself or or place the slices as a layer. Mix different cheeses for a more interesting taste. Try whatever cheese you like.
Try adding grated parmesan, manchego cheese, or soft goat cheese
Step 3. Make it crispy
Add a few minutes to baking time for a beautiful golden brown finish. Allowing the bread to crisp will result in a crispy panini with a sticky, soft inside.
Step 4. Add some vegetables
Try adding sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, or mushrooms. Add these ingredients raw or roast them first. You can even add some basil leaves or a little bit of bell pepper.
Be careful when adding "wet" ingredients. That might make the bread soggy. If you're adding tomatoes, cucumbers, or anything else with a high water content, remove the seeds first
Step 5. Add some fruit
Yes, that's right, fruit! Slice an apple or pear into small pieces for a sweet and refreshing sensation on meat or vegetarian paninis.
Try adding grilled eggplant instead of meat for a delicious vegetarian panini
Step 6. Play around with the filling
You can use whatever leftover meat you have. Shred chicken or steak or add crispy bacon. Try adding anchovies for an interesting taste. Try roast beef, pastrami, or whatever meat you prefer.
Make sure all the meat added to the panini is well cooked
Step 7. Add more sauce on top
Spread a little pesto sauce on sandwiches or try your favorite spicy mustard. You can even add a little fig jam for added sweetness. Also try the BBQ sauce or hot sauce!
Step 8. Sprinkle the spices
A pinch of salt and pepper will never fail your cooking. But you don't have to stop there. Try a pinch of garlic or onion salt. Try sprinkling a little garlic salt on the outside of the bread over a layer of butter.
Use just enough seasoning. You can easily mask the taste of a panini with too much salt or garlic
Step 9. Make a panini for dessert
Use white bread or cinnamon raisin bread and coat the inside with hazelnut butter. Fill sandwiches with sliced bananas and marshmallows and then pour chocolate syrup on the inside. Bake until the outside is golden brown with melted marshmallows.
Step 10. Have a panini party
Invite family and friends to try your most creative panini. Purchase a wide selection of breads and fillings and challenge your friends to make the most creative and delicious paninis.
Tips
- The George Foreman toaster will make a very tasty panini, but make sure the grill is preheated before using it.
- Use any combination, from cheese, to steak and onions, or fish, depending on your taste.
