Authentic Italian Panini Recipes

FOCCACIA PANINO

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and the lemon juice. Add the tuna, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine.
• Cut the focaccia in half and brush the outside of the bread with olive oil. Place a slice of cheese on the bottom half of the panino. Top with tuna mixture, then the frisee, and then another slice of cheese. Finish with the top half of the focaccia.
• Preheat a panino grill, or heat a grill pan over medium heat. Drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking. Grill the panino until the cheese melts and the bread is crisp and golden, about 5 minutes. Cut the panino in half and serve.

MEATBALL PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or panini maker. Brush the onion slices on both sides with the olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Grill the onion slices until tender and lightly browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Set aside to cool.
• Pull out and remove some of the bread from each half of the rolls. Spoon half of the sauce over the bottom halves of the rolls. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes if using. Add the arugula, meatballs, prosciutto slices, grilled onions and the remaining sauce. Place 2 slices of cheese on top. Add the tops of the rolls and drizzle with olive oil. Using a pastry brush, brush the oil evenly over the tops.
• Place the sandwiches in a panini maker and cook until the cheese has melted and the meatballs are heated through, about 5 minutes.
• Cut the panini in half and serve.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, basil, parsley, milk, tomato paste, salt, pepper, eggs, garlic and onions. Using a wooden spoon, stir to blend. Add the ground turkey and sausage meat. Using fingers, gently mix all the ingredients until thoroughly combined.
• Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or a small ice cream scoop, form the meat mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls (22 to 24 meatballs). Place the meatballs on a heavy nonstick baking sheet, spacing apart. Drizzle with olive oil and bake until cooked through, 15 minutes. Yield: 22 to 24 meatballs.

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.

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.

ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Cut roll open.
• Brush outside of roll with olive oil.
• Brush both sides of inside with italian dressing.
• Cut cheese in half, add the 4 halves to the bread.
• Add the remaining ingredients in order listed.
• Cut in half.
• Grill in your panini press or George Foreman grill.
• Enjoy.