History of Panini Sandwich

As for the Italians, the history of panini sandwich is often connected with memories of lunch breaks, picnic and snacks in summertime.

And then sometimes outdoor mountain hikes are woven into the tales. The history of panini sandwich is different with each Italian you ask. So bear with me, I have been told so many different versions, and now I have blended them for you here.

According to the Italians, the panini sandwich, the original version of panini, would mostly be a striped down version of today's sandwich with only a single filling, not grilled and most often prepared just before eating them.

Cured meats were the filling of choice in a panini sandwich : salame, prosciutto and mortadella are some such cured meats. A rustic focaccia would commonly be used as the bread.

Cheeses are a common filling too. Usually the local availability will determine which particular cheese is used. Summer favorites are panini with tomato and mozzarella or tomato and tuna.

There's also a sort of rustic panini category: this would include pane e frittata, i.e. flat italian omelette, pane e salsiccia and pane e cotoletta, bread with breaded cutlet.

All these account for the core of the Italian culinary panini. The current culinary trend adds just a few little touches and they are turned into real gourmet treats. And aren't we all so appreciative!

Upscale Lunch haunts actually do offer quite a few of these gourmet paninis. The main difference with the home versions is that these places will use choice ingredients, only the freshest bread, often prepared especially for the purpose. There is no reason not to be able to duplicate these wonderful toasty treats in our own home, if we also purchase choice ingredients.

Real panini connoisseurs will also discuss at lengths and have been overheard arguing over which breads are best with which filling.

The main thing which all agree upon is that choice of bread and filling should be balanced: complimenting one another's flavors. Look upon your creation with an artist's eye, and a conoseur's palette. Image the melding of flavors, and grill to your heart's content.

Begin Your Own History of Panini Sandwich with your very own Panini Press !

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