Panini

Panini can be so versatile. You can add anything you want to two pieces of bread, toast it up and call it panini. Some of our favorites are pretty basic. I prefer to use day old bread for panini but it's fine with fresh stuff as well.

I use a small size George Forman grill that I got for our wedding. I can only cook one at a time. If you prefer to cook more or don't have a George Forman or Panini grill, you can heat up a griddle or a frying pan and cook them on that. Panini tend to be smashed as they are cooked so you add a weight on top as it cooks. You could do another frying pan or cast iron pan on top to smash it. You could even heat that pan up and cook both sides at the same time. I've never done it so I don't want to give advice on how to do it since I don't really know.

Panini #1

Butter two outside parts of the bread. Spread Mayonnaise on one piece of bread that will be facing the inside. I add cheese first (usually cheddar), then turkey and/or ham. I put the other piece of bread on top and stick it in a hot George Forman grill. Once the cheese is melted I take it out and take the top piece of bread off, the one that doesn't have the mayo and cheese stuck to it. I then add slices of avocado and season it with granulated garlic, salt, and pepper. We've also enjoyed it with tomatoes and sprouts.

Panini #2

Butter two outside parts of bread. You could also brush with olive oil if you prefer. Add pesto to the inside part of the sandwich. Then add pieces of Fresh Mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, and basil leaves. Grill it up and serve.

Panini #3

Mix together some mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, a little lemon juice, diced up fresh basil leaves, and granulated garlic. Spread that on one side of the sandwich. Add some lean turkey meat and sliced up tomatoes. Grill and serve.

We love to eat this with Tomato Basil Soup  or Cheddar Broccoli Soup. We use day old Crusty Artisan Bread or Sourdough Bread.