Wine & Dine

Episode #24 - Panini

How to cook Panini

In a Panini press: Preheat the press. Add your sandwich and cook according to the manufacturer’s instructions until golden and crisp, 3-5 minutes.

On the stove: Preheat a skillet with butter or oil to medium low. Add your sandwich, and then press a heavy pan on top to weigh it down. Cook until golden and crisp, 3-4 minutes per side.

Sandwich #1 – Roast Beef Reuben Panini

2 T. olive oil
3 c. shredded green cubage
1 onion – sliced thin
½ lb deli chipped roast beef
2 lg. slices Havarti or Swiss cheese
¼ c. Thousand Island dressing
4 slices marbled rye bread
1 T. butter

Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add the cabbage and onions, sauté until slightly tender. Spread Thousand Island dressing on 2 slices of bread. Layer the roast beef, cheese, cabbage and onions on bread. Melt butter in a skillet. Press and grill both sides of the sandwich until golden brown. Makes 2 sandwiches.

Sandwich #2 – Thanksgiving Turkey Panini

½ lb deli chipped turkey
2 slices cheddar cheese
¼ c. cranberry sauce
4 slices of ciabatta or focaccia bread
1 T. butter

Layer the turkey, cheese and cranberry sauce between 2 slices of bread. Melt the butter in a skillet. Press and grill on both sides of the sandwich until golden brown. Makes 2 sandwiches.

Sandwich #3 – Apple – Brie Panini

1lg. Granny Smith apple thinly sliced
4 oz Brie cheese – slices
Olive oil
Dijon mustard
4 slices ciabatta or white Italian bread

Brush inside of 2 slices of bread with olive oil and Dijon mustard. Layer the apples and Brie cheese. Press and grill on both sides of the sandwiches until golden brown. Makes 2 sandwiches.
(Optional: substitute mustard for apple butter)

Sandwich #4 – Peanut Butter and Banana Panini

2 T. honey
¼ c. Peanut Butter
2 Bananas – slices lengthwise
4 slices of white Italian or Cinnamon Swirl bread

Drizzle honey on each slice of bread. Spread the peanut butter on the bread and layer the bananas. Press and grill on both sides until golden brown.

Idea: serve the Panini with a cup of soup, fresh fruit or just a handful of Kettle Chips

Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes

1 quart Vanilla Ice Cream
1 can of Pumpkin Pie mix

In a blender, combine ice cream and pumpkin pie mix. Blend according to your taste. Leftovers can be frozen and re-blended. Makes 6-8 servings.