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Panini Recipes For The Panini Press

Panini recipes vary from deli to cafe, sometimes what you may order is not exactly what you were expecting. A true panini is toasted to a perfect golden on both sides of thick, country style bread.

Step-by-Step directions for making the BEST panini sandwich recipe ever, right here

First, pre-heat your panini press to medium high and leave it in the closed position so that it will heat up quickly for you. Most machines have an indicator light that comes on or goes green when the grill is up to temperature.

The key to great panini grilling is to have the press, your panini maker, completely up to temperature before you begin to cook. This insures a nicely browned sandwich, for all the panini recipes.

Bread Selection for the Panini Sandwich

Homemade bread is the very best, but who has the time? If you are so inclined, please check out the wide selection of bread recipes suitable for panini recipes , most are designed for your bread machine. Simply place all the ingredients into your bread machine the night before and set your automatic bread machine timer to delay baking until the morning.

There is nothing better than waking up to the aroma of freshly baked bread (but that is another chapter).
If homemade is not an option, buy an unsliced loaf from your grocer's bakery section. When you are ready to cook, slice the loaf yourself into thick slices.

Since the panini press will compress the sandwich somewhat, choosing to slice the bread into somewhat thicker slices than normal sandwich slices will be more favorable to a great panini sandwich.

Your finished panini sandwich recipe will be more appealing and make for a more substantial presentation.

All that aside, the type of bread that you choose is purely an individual preference. Traditionally, white breads are used for their ability to toast to a nice golden color. But certainly any bread will do. Try to pair your bread flavor with the ingredients that you will be using.

Using an herb infused bread is a terrific match for the panini recipes that are mostly vegetarian. Or try a good cheese bread with a roast beef panini sandwich.

Assembling Your Panini Creation

Lightly spray the outsides of the bread slices with a cooking spray. Olive oil spray is widely available and it lends a richer flavor than a canola oil spray. Either one will work just as well.

If you are not counting calories, you may use butter or margarine on the outside. Be sure to spread it evenly, so that your end creation will be evenly toasted and golden.

Any sauce or spreads that you intend to use should be spread on the insides of the bread slices next. Sauces such as pesto are always great choice for a panini.
The cheese (most paninis do include a cheese or two) should be placed next on the bottom slices, on top of any sauce or inside spread.

Now for the main event... Add any meat, vegetables or fruits next, then top with more cheese and the remaining slice of bread. Please note that any meats used should be fully cooked just as in any regular sandwich.

Cooking the Panini Sandwich on Your Panini Press

When the panini press is hot, up to temperature, place the sandwich on the press, close the lid and press down slightly using even pressure with the top press bar. Set the timer according to your recipe directions (most sandwiches cook perfectly on the Panini Press in 2 min 30 sec) and get ready to feast!

Tips for Perfect Panini Grilling

If your press has two removable grilling plates, using the ridged plates gives your paninis a professional "finished" look. Try placing the sandwiches on an angle so the stripes resulting from the grill are diagonal, then cut the sandwich on the opposite diagonal.

Feel free to experiment with your panini how to make it special.

When doing a simple grilled cheese, cut the finished sandwich(s) into 3 sections (instead of just in half) and stack them up on the serving plate. Talk about WOW.

The Best Panini Maker, Panini Press I Can Really Recommend

Is this Cuisinart Griddler model. I have used this particular Cuisinart Griddler for many years now, and I have chosen to give this model of panini press as gifts over the years because of it's versatility and dependability.

Not to mention how EASILY it cleans up! My five year old home model looks nearly as it did when I first purchased it.

I like to keep it out on the counter for two reasons, first I really like the way it looks, and two if it's easily available I will use it everyday for these panini recipes (and we really do!).

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