Easy Italian Panini the a tasty combination of deli meats, cheese and fresh veggies all sandwiched in a toasted Italian bread loaf.
One way I keep organized in the kitchen is to use a menu board that tracks what is for dinner for the next two weeks. My guys monitor that dinner menu board as closely as they monitor their favorite sport team rankings! Once, I tried to take down the board, but since I hate seeing grown men cry, I had to put it back up again!
I mention this board because I like to put Paninis on it occasionally to use up leftovers from other meals. This recipe is for an Italian Panini, but any leftover meat, cheese and sauce can be used to make an awesome panini sandwich! And no matter what other people told you…Paninis do not take any special equipment. You do not need a designated panini press (though they are great to have). I just use a George Forman grill to press my sandwiches. Paninis are great to make on the outdoor grill, too!!
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We recommend using a bread that can take the heat. Literally. Italian breads like focaccia, ciabatta, and baguettes are usually heartier than, say, sourdough, and they hold up better to grilling. Bring the heat.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE EASY ITALIAN PANINI
These are the main characters in today’s production…
- 1 whole loaf Italian bread
- 8 very thin slices of each: Black Forest Ham, Turkey Breast and Hard Salami
- 4 slices Provolone or Swiss cheese
- Sliced Tomato, Onion, Lettuce and Banana Peppers (all optional)
- House Italian Dressing, Honey Mustard Dressing
HOW TO MAKE AN ITALIAN PANINI
Get started by cutting your bread loaf in half, lengthwise with a sharp bread knife. I like to stand mine up and cut straight down because it is easier for me to see than when it is laying down. But its your bread, so your choice.
Take a paring knife and make a small cut all the way around the inside of both the top and bottom loaf halves, about 1/2 inch from the outside edge. Scoop out the bread that is inside the cut, leaving about 1/4 inch intact on the bottom of each. You do not want to poke holes in the bread…it will make a holy mess (pun intended) when you grill it.
Layer your lovely ingredients on top of one of the hollowed out halves. Cheese should not be the last layer on top. When you add the top loaf and press it, you will have a gooey mess (and burned fingers) trying to get the top off to add your veggies and dressing if cheese is stuck to it. Place the cheese between two layers of the meat. I learned this lesson the hard way- no need for you to do it too!
Put the filled loaf on the press ( I use my old George Foreman Grill) and close the top. Allow to cook for 4 – 5 minutes, until the bread is the desired crispness. (If you are making it in a skillet or on a grill, just place flat on the hot surface and press down with a heavy pan on top. You will need to flip it after about a minute to crisp up the other side.)
This is where we started…everything looks so pretty and delicious.
This is how good they are: I gave the hubby a whole Panini, then thought better of it and tried to remove half from his plate…he circled his arm around his Panini and growled. I think he also bared his teeth. (I may have imagined that part!) Later, he complimented me on how delicious the Panini was. Good husband!
Authentic Italian Panini | Cooking Italian with Joe
FAQ
What kind of bread is best for paninis?
What is the difference between Italian panini and American panini?
Are ciabatta and panini the same?
Is panini an Italian bread?
What is Italian Panini bread?
Italian Panini bread is a traditional sandwich bun made to hold all kinds of delicious fillings. With a golden-brown crispy crust and a tender inside, these panini buns are great for cold cut sandwiches, pulled pork and burgers alike!
What type of bread is suitable for diabetics?
All types of bread, even non-whole meal bread, can be part of the diabetic diet if the bread is made in an intelligent combination, with a protein and fiber filling, such as an egg or tuna filling with lettuce and tomato, or accompanied by a protein shake with fibers, such as whey, banana, and oatmeal. This is because proteins and fibers reduce the rate of absorption of the carbohydrate present in bread, causing less impact on blood glucose.
Which bread is best for Panini?
Rye bread is another fantastic panini bread. It’s dark, dense, tasty, and brings robust flavor to any sandwich. Thanks to its hearty nature, rye withstands grilling and pressing like a pro, making it ideal for paninis. It’s richer in iron, calcium, zinc, and potassium. So it’s not just taste, but a nutritional edge too.
Is white bread good for panini sandwiches?
White bread is made using wheat flour from which germ and bran have been removed during milling. The milling process gives this flour a longer lifespan, making it an excellent option for baking bread but not the best for Panini sandwiches.