Best The Classic Panini Recipes

BASIC GRILLED PANINI

Steps:

• Drizzle olive oil on 1 side of each bread slice. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the other side of each slice. Pile Cheddar cheese, ham, tomato, and onion on top. Top with other bread slice, mayonnaise side down.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat; spray lightly with cooking spray. Place sandwich on grill; weigh it down with a heavy pan. Cook until cheese is melted and grill marks appear, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

BEST BLT CHICKEN PANINI

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, 6 to 8minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels.
• Spread mayonnaise on one side of the 4 slices of bread. Layer chicken slices, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and bacon, in that order, over 2 slices of bread. Place the remaining 2 bread slices on the top, mayonnaise side down.
• Heat a panini press over medium-high heat and coat with cooking spray. Place sandwiches inside. Cook until heated through and the cheese starts to melt, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Cut panini in half and serve immediately.

ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Slice the bread in half horizontally and spread the cut-sides with the honey mustard. Build the sandwich by layering the bottom half of the loaf with half of the provolone, followed by the ham, turkey, salami and the remaining provolone (the provolone should be touching the bread on both sides, with the meat sandwiched in between). Cover with the top half of the loaf.
• Spread some of the butter on top of the loaf, then carefully flip over and butter the bottom. Slice into the desired number of sandwiches
• Heat a large two-burner grill pan over medium heat, or heat a panini maker. Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook, pressing down with a spatula, until the undersides are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (see Cook's Note). Turn the sandwiches and continue to cook, pressing, until golden brown on the reverse side and the cheese is melted, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the panini to a cutting board and slice in half. Serve immediately.

QUICK CLASSIC PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Spread a ciabatta half with some pesto, and layer with prosciutto and mozzarella. Spread some tapenade on other half; layer with peppers and fontina. Cover with remaining bread.
• Heat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Brush bread with oil. Place a sandwich in skillet; weigh down with another skillet. Cook until golden brown on first side, 3 to 4 minutes; flip, and cook until other side is golden and cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Transfer to a baking sheet; keep warm in oven while grilling other sandwich. Cut each half into pieces. Serve immediately.

THE CLASSIC PANINI

Steps:

• Halve the roll. Drizzle cut sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Layer mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, prosciutto di Parma, and basil leaves on bottom half. Top with other half.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-low to medium heat until almost smoking. Lightly brush pan with olive oil. Place panino on pan; cover with a cast-iron or other heavy skillet weighed with soup cans. Gently press straight down. Grill, undisturbed, until browned and crisp on bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. With a spatula, flip panino. Repeat process, grill until crisp and browned on other side, 3 to 4 minutes more. Serve hot.