How to Make Homemade Panini

By Carolyn Malcoun, July/August 2007

Quick pressed sandwiches in minutes—no fancy equipment required.

READER'S COMMENT:

"If you like the look of the 'grill marks' on a real panini you can also use a george foreman grill. There isn't a need to press on it much except at the start. In a pinch and out of bread- I've used the grill and hot dog buns for a really...

Healthy Panini, Sandwiches and Grilled Cheese Recipes to Try
Grilled Eggplant Panini
Southwestern Cheese Panini
Mediterranean Tuna Panini
Turkey & Tomato Panini
Hot Chile Grilled Cheese
Healthy Sandwich Recipes and Healthy Panini Recipes
Turkey & Tomato Panini 500-Calorie Menu

More Quick & Easy Recipes
No-Cook Healthy Sandwich Recipes
No-cook dinners for the lazy cook
Easy One-Pot Meals
Easy Slow Cooker and Crock Pot Recipes
Easy Healthy Pizza Recipes
15 Minute Dinner Recipes

Panini are hot! Hailing from Italy, these simple pressed sandwiches are generally found at Italian truck stops, airport food stands and bars, where you’ll often be presented with a variety of cold assembled sandwiches that are pressed to order. Now they’re making their mark in America. Restaurants devoted entirely to these delights have opened across the country. Even supermarket chains have jumped on the panini bandwagon, giving customers the option to have their sandwiches made into panini.

Nearly all kitchenware stores and catalogs now sell panini presses—they range from $25 to over $1,000). But if you’ve been wary of trying to make panini at home because you thought you needed to buy a panini press, think again. Our simple stovetop technique allows anyone to make panini—sans press. It’s an ideal summer meal: your stove is on for mere minutes. All you need are two skillets and four cans, and panini can be yours—no trip to Italy required.

Next: Get our Stovetop Panini Technique »