What is Panini?

Panini are sandwiches made in a panini grill. In English panini is referred to as one sandwich as well as multiple sandwiches (paninis) when actually the individual sandwich is a panino and multiple sandwiches are panini.

In Italian, panino referrs to a small bread roll and a panino imbottito refers to a sandwich (which literally means stuffed panino).

Panini are tradionally made with ciabatta bread, sliced meat and cheese, lightly buttered and grilled.

Special grills, called panini grills are used to make these sandwiches. These grills, which are common though-out italy, are gaining populatity here in America.

The panini Grill is very much like a waffle iron, where heat is applied from the top and bottom to cook both sides evenly. Unlike a waffle iron, the panini grill has a larger hinge to accomodate thick bread or flat buns. A panini grill usually has ridges on the top and bottom grilling surface, this creates the signature grilling lines.

This Sandwich and Panini Press is incredibly handy to have in the kitchen if you enjoy mouth-watering sandwiches, especially hot panini straight off the grill with cheese melted in between!

Why a panino over a grilled sandwich? Making panini is often less messy and often contains less fat. With the grill's non-stick coating you don't have to butter or oil the bread first and the sandwich doesn't fall apart when flipped. There is also just something different about a sandwich made in a grill. It might be the even cooking on both sides, or the way the sandwich is sort of squished to gether that all the flavours blend. I don't know for sure, but a sandwich made in the panini grill tastes better then when made in the fry pan.

You can make panini out of any bread and fill it with anything you like, from meats and cheeses, to lettuce and tomatoes to penut butter and banana. The combinations are endless.

Incase you needs some help, here are a few ideas -

Your choice of bread, though ciabatta, focaccia, or thick slices of bread work best. Layer the ingredients any way you like. This is the fun part, there are no rules - just your imagination!

sliced ham, sliced provolone cheese, lettuce, tomates dijon mustard

left-over turkey or chicken, mayonaise, cranberry sauce, montery jack cheese

sliced tomatoes, basil, mozzarella cheese

grilled vegetables (red pepper, zuchinni, mushrooms, onions) lettuce, provolone cheese

Assemble the sandwich. Before you put it in the grill, you can spread a little butter or olive oil on top of the bread. This gives it a little golden cruchiness. Put in the panini grill, and grill for a few minutes until golden brown and the cheese has melted. Let cool a bit, then enjoy!

The Cuisinart Griddler can be used as an open contact grill, panini press or griddle. Use it to make stuffed sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken breasts or pancakes. This electric grill is equipped with a floating hinge system that adjusts to the thickness of what you are cooking. The non-stick cooking paltes are dishwasher safe and designed to drain oils away from the food.