Grilled Panini Sandwiches Recipes

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely.
• Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup (about) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• In a blender, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Yield: 1 cup
• Prep Time: 10 minutes

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.

GRILLED PANINI SANDWICH WITHOUT A PANINI MAKER

Steps:

• Spread mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice. Layer ham, provolone cheese, and roasted red bell pepper on the bread; top sandwich with the other bread slice, mayonnaise side down.
• Heat grill pan over medium heat; place sandwich in the pan and top with another heavy pan. Add 2 heavy cans on top; press down on cans to compress the sandwich. Reduce heat to medium; cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip sandwich, replace the pan and cans; cook until cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes more.

GRILLED CHICKPEA SALAD SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix the first 10 ingredients. Place cheese slices on 4 bread slices; top with chickpea mixture and remaining bread. Preheat panini maker or indoor electric grill. Cook sandwiches, covered, until bread is browned and cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes.

GRILLED ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Heat coals or gas grill for direct heat. Cut a circle 1/2 inch from edge of bread, cutting 2 inches down into loaf but not all the way through. Remove center of bread loaf and set aside. Arrange salami inside bread loaf; top with peppers, tapenade and cheese. Place center of bread loaf over filling to fit tightly. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil.
• Cover and grill loaf 4 to 6 inches from low heat 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until cheese is melted.
• Brush olive oil over top of loaf. Cut loaf into 4 wedges.

GRILLED TURKEY PANINI SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In small bowl, mix mayonnaise and pesto.
• Spread 1 side of each bread slice with butter. Turn bread slices butter sides down; spread other sides with 1 tablespoon pesto mixture each. Top 8 bread slices with turkey, artichokes, tomatoes and cheese. Top with remaining bread slices, butter sides up.
• In sandwich grill or 12-inch skillet, cook sandwiches over medium heat 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until bread is toasted and cheese is melted.

GRILLED PORTABELLA SANDWICHES OR PANINI

Steps:

• Mix together oil, salt and pepper, and garlic. Marinate mushrooms and onions with this for about thirty minutes.
• Grill mushrooms and onions over medium heat until done, brushing on the oil mixture liberally throughout cooking time.
• Cut the bread open length-wise, brush it with the oil, then lightly toast on the grill.
• Layer on the onions and mushrooms. Press sandwich together for a few minutes (I usually use a frying pan to weigh it down).
• Cut into 6 pieces or so and serve.

GRILLED PANINI SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Cut 8 slices of the panini bread.
• Prepare the marinade. Set aside.
• In small bowl prepare the basil dressing or Dijon mustard and mix well. The condiments can be made several hours in advance.
• Slice the vegetables into uniform sizes.
• Marinate the veggies in a shallow pan for an hour. Drain off the marinade and then grill the vegetables on each side for about 4-5 minutes, until tender yet crisp.
• Spread one side of each sandwich slice with your choice of spread. Add the vegetables, next place 1 ounce of cheese and the parsley or lovage. Butter lightly the top and bottom of sandwich. Press down carefully on the sandwich and toast on grilll. Cut in half and serve.

GRILLED-VEGETABLE PANINI

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium. Grill peppers, turning occasionally, until charred, about 18 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let stand for 10 minutes. Rub off skins, and remove ribs and seeds. Slice peppers into 1-inch-thick strips.
• Meanwhile, lightly brush zucchini and squashes with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Grill until charred and tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
• Spread bread slices with pesto. Top 8 slices with vegetables. Season with salt and pepper. Sandwich with remaining bread.
• Heat a panini press. Lightly brush sandwiches with oil. Press until bread is golden brown and crusts are crisp, 2 to 4 minutes.