Pesto Panini Recipe

Here’s a great tuna and pesto panini recipe – an excellent combination of flavors that’s sure to satisfy both your tastebuds and your tummy.

 Canned Tuna, Pesto and Shredded Cheddar Panini

• 8 slices whole-wheat bread
• 1 6 ½-oz. can tuna packed in brine, drained well
• ¼ cup pesto
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1/8 cup sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

In a large bowl, mix the tuna, pesto, mayonnaise, sundried tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese; flavor with pepper and salt. If possible, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to blend flavors. When ready to serve, preheat panini grill to medium. Spread mixture over panini bottoms and cover with panini tops. Brush lightly with olive oil and grill in hot grill for 5-7 minutes, or until bread is golden-brown and cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy.

Panini recipes with…

In search of panini recipes with salami? Here are two good simple ones, one hot (grilled in a panini press) and one cold.

Hot salami and cheese panini

• 1 medium-sized ciabatta roll
• 2 thick slices Mozzarella cheese
• 1½ tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 6 thin slices hard salami
• A small amount of assorted greens of your choice (lettuce, arugula, etc.)
• Mayonnaise
• Olive oil

Preheat the panini press to medium. Slice the ciabatta roll in half horizontally and then vertically to end up with 4 slices. Open up slices on a plate and spread with mustard. Place Mozzarella cheese slices on panini bottoms. Top with salami (3 slices per panino). Top with half of the mayonnaise, the greens, the remainder of the mayonnaise and then the panini tops. Brush outside with olive oil; press and grill 5-7 minutes until bread is toasted and cheese melted. Serve immediately.

Cold and spicy salami panini

• 2 slices whole-wheat bread
• 5-6 thin slices hard salami
• 1 slice Cheddar cheese
• 2 medium-thick slices large tomato
• 1 small pickled hot pepper
• Dijon mustard
• Mayonnaise 

Lay bread slices flat on a plate. Brush inner surfaces with mustard. Place cheese flat on panino bottom. Arrange salami slices atop cheese. Brush salami with mayonnaise; top with tomato slices. Brush with a little mayonnaise. Cut pepper into small rounds or cubes; distribute evenly atop tomato slices. Top with panino top, slice as desired. Serves 1 or 2.

Italian Ham Easy Panini Recipe

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

4 slices ciabatta or French baguette

4 oz. thinly sliced deli ham

2 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon minced fresh basil

1. Combine olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a bowl. Gently brush the inner side of each slice of bread with the mixture.

2. Heat a panini press and coat with cooking spray. With the oiled side up, top 2 of the slices of bread each with half the ham, one slice of cheese, and half of the minced basil. Top each panino with another slice of bread, oiled side down.

3. Grill each panino about 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp and golden-brown. Serve immediately.

Italian Subway

The Italian Subway sandwiches known as the BMT and the Spicy Italian are firm favorites of many customers the world over. The BMT features three kinds of meat – ham, cheese, pepperoni and Genoa salami – while the Spicy Italian comes with Genoa salami, cheese and pepperoni. Both can be accentuated by whatever fresh vegetables and condiments the customer prefers.

But even if you love either sandwich, there’s no reason to head out to Subway to get one. If you’re itching for either or both sandwiches but for one reason or another are unable to leave the house to get to a Subway branch – or if you’re a do it yourself kind of person and want to try to see if you can’t improve on the Subway recipes – take heart. If you have all the ingredients at home, you can put together sandwiches that might just taste better than either sandwich from Subway! And, dare we say it – these sandwich recipes may even prove healthier and better for you than the Spicy Italian and the BMT…

Here is a good series of recipes that aims to provide a healthier (and perhaps better tasting) alternative to these two Italian Subway sandwiches, starting with the bread itself. This is an excellent recipe for a honey wheat loaf baguette. You will need a bread machine to make it.

Place the following ingredients in this order in your bread machine’s pan: 3/4 cup warm milk, ½ beaten egg, 1 tbsp softened butter, 1/6 cup honey, ½ tsp salt, 1 2/5 cup bread flour, ½ cup whole wheat flour, half a package of active dry yeast, 1 tbsp butter. Start the baking cycle and allow the cycle to finish. When bread is done, remove from bread machine and cool on a wire rack.

When your bread has cooled somewhat, slice it in half crosswise and prepare to assemble your sandwich.

For a BMT, spread one half of the bread with 1 ½ tbsp mayonnaise and the other half with 1 ½ tbsp Italian dressing. Place 2 slices Provolone cheese on the bottom half of the sandwich. Top with, in any order you desire, 2 slices Genoa salami, 4 slices ham, 6 slices pepperoni, 2 leaves iceberg or romaine lettuce, 2 beefsteak or heirloom tomato slices, 1 red onion sliced into rings, and sliced black olives. Top with the upper half of the bread. Slice as desired.

For a Spicy Italian, spread one half of the bread with 1 ½ tbsp mayonnaise and the other half with 1 ½ tbsp Italian dressing. Place 2 slices Provolone cheese on the bottom half of the sandwich. Top with, in any order you desire, 2 slices Genoa salami, 6 slices pepperoni, 2 leaves iceberg or romaine lettuce, 2 beefsteak or heirloom tomato slices, 1 red onion sliced into rings, sliced black olives, and jalapeno pepper slices. Top with the upper half of the bread. Slice as desired.

Italian Salmon Panini

Italian salmon recipes represent some of the best ways to cook this popular, healthy fish.

For starters, salmon meat is very popular as a food source, and it’s really no wonder why. The rich oily flesh of the salmon is regularly described as some of the best-tasting fish meat available today. And not only is it tasty, but it’s really quite healthy as well. Like many other fish, salmon meat is high in protein and vitamin D, and in addition is also very high in Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA. These are unsaturated fatty acids that help reduce inflammation, may help maintain a high level of brain health and immune-system function, and may also confer cancer-, arthritis- and cardiovascular-disease-fighting benefits.

Some of the best recipes for salmon involve the use of simple ingredients and short cooking time in order to accentuate and not overwhelm the basic flavor of the fish and not overcook the meat. The Italians excel at this sort of cooking.

Here is one sample Italian salmon recipe that involves grilling salmon steaks for a quick and easy meal.

You will need four fresh cleaned large-sized salmon steaks for this recipe. Place steaks in a deep non-reactive bowl. Mix 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 ½ tsp dried or 3 tsp fresh shredded basil leaves, 2 tsp rosemary, 1 1/3 tsp EACH salt, thyme and ground black pepper, 1 1/3 tsp minced garlic, 3 ½ tbsp white vinegar and 2 ½ tsp oregano in a separate bowl. Mix well; pour over salmon steaks. Marinate 45 minutes. Heat and very lightly oil grill. When grill is hot, place all four steaks on the grill. Baste constantly with marinade and grill for 5-7 minutes, or until steaks are done.

Now add the salmon to a thick bread of your choice such as ciabatta.  Add provolone or mozarella cheese.  Baste the outside of the bread with olive oil or butter and place in your grill.  Grill until the cheese is melted.

A green salad with vinaigrette dressing would make a very tasty yet extremely healthy side dish for your grilled salmon.

You’ll need well-washed salad greens (arugula or mizuna, romaine lettuce, and/or other greens of your choice, all torn into bite-size pieces), cubed cucumbers and sliced carrots. For your dressing, mix 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, ½ cup balsamic vinegar, 4 to 5 cloves minced garlic, 1 ½ tsp fresh basil or 1 tsp dried basil, 1 ½ tsp oregano in a bowl. Pour over salad, or you can serve the salad and the dressing separately and allow diners to dress their salad to their liking. Offer freshly ground pepper to top this salad and salmon combination off nicely.

Panini Maker Recipes

Panini maker recipes are those recipes that end up best when the person making panini uses a panini maker. Of course you never really have to use a panini maker to make panini; but many of these lovely dishes are at their easiest – and best – when a panini maker is used to cook them. Here are some examples.

A favorite panini of ours is one that incorporates Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, smoked ham, and garden-fresh basil leaves. Preheat your panini maker and grease it up a little bit with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Mix a little mayonnaise and some grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl until well blended. Prepare halves of your desired sort of bread, such as ciabatta, sourdough or whole-wheat. Spread the bottom half with the Parmesan-mayo mixture. Top this mixture with slices of smoked ham, the Swiss cheese, and your basil leaves, and seal the panini with the top halves of bread. You may choose to slather the outsides of the panini with a little butter if you like. When done, grill the panini in your panini maker until the bread is toasted to your liking and the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

Another good example of panini maker recipes that we love is a simple Italian grilled cheese panini that bears some resemblance to the equally famous Monte Cristo sandwich. Preheat your panini maker and, once again, grease it with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Select your bread, and choose which half, or halves, are to become the bottom half or halves. Spread the bottom halves with a little pesto for added flavor. Thinly slice Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses; slice a ripe tomato (heirloom or beefsteak) thinly. In a medium-deep bowl, beat two eggs gently just until mixed; add half a cup of whole milk and a little black pepper and salt. Prepare another plate of flour. Dip the prepared panini first into the egg mixture and then into the flour mixture. Grill in the hot panini maker until nicely browned and the cheese is melted.

The advantage conferred by panini makers – which is why some panini maker recipes specifically call for panini to be cooked in panini makers – is that they save a great deal of time and effort by allowing both sides of panini cooked in them to be cooked at once. By cooking your panini in a panini maker, you save yourself a little more time when preparing these deliciously simple dishes – time you can spend enjoying them!

Panini Maker Recipes

Panini maker recipes are those recipes that end up best when the person making panini uses a panini maker. Of course you never really have to use a panini maker to make panini; but many of these lovely dishes are at their easiest – and best – when a panini maker is used to cook them. Here are some examples.

A favorite panini of ours is one that incorporates Swiss cheese, Parmesan cheese, smoked ham, and garden-fresh basil leaves. Preheat your panini maker and grease it up a little bit with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil. Mix a little mayonnaise and some grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl until well blended. Prepare halves of your desired sort of bread, such as ciabatta, sourdough or whole-wheat. Spread the bottom half with the Parmesan-mayo mixture. Top this mixture with slices of smoked ham, the Swiss cheese, and your basil leaves, and seal the panini with the top halves of bread. You may choose to slather the outsides of the panini with a little butter if you like. When done, grill the panini in your panini maker until the bread is toasted to your liking and the cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!

Another good example of panini maker recipes that we love is a simple Italian grilled cheese panini that bears some resemblance to the equally famous Monte Cristo sandwich. Preheat your panini maker and, once again, grease it with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Select your bread, and choose which half, or halves, are to become the bottom half or halves. Spread the bottom halves with a little pesto for added flavor. Thinly slice Mozzarella and Provolone cheeses; slice a ripe tomato (heirloom or beefsteak) thinly. In a medium-deep bowl, beat two eggs gently just until mixed; add half a cup of whole milk and a little black pepper and salt. Prepare another plate of flour. Dip the prepared panini first into the egg mixture and then into the flour mixture. Grill in the hot panini maker until nicely browned and the cheese is melted.

The advantage conferred by panini makers – which is why some panini maker recipes specifically call for panini to be cooked in panini makers – is that they save a great deal of time and effort by allowing both sides of panini cooked in them to be cooked at once. By cooking your panini in a panini maker, you save yourself a little more time when preparing these deliciously simple dishes – time you can spend enjoying them!

More Easy Panini Recipes

First of all, I would just like to say that panini is the plural of panino which is singular for a sandwich. Now that this is cleared up, there are so many ways to make a panino or a sandwich. Panini are for everyone: for those who just want to have an easy dessert, a great veggie lunch, good hearty meaty panini, even for those who don’t have much of a budget to buy all the necessary ingredients for panini. There is one panino that will surely match you. Even for those who don’t have a panini grill or a sandwich grill press, there are still ways that you can make your own panini.

There is a quick and easy panini desert recipe that you can make in minutes and the ingredients are not expensive.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Bread of choice

Strawberry jam

Cream cheese or other sweet cheese of choice

Put them together and voila…a desert panini in minutes…and it didn’t break the bank

-You can even use apple, cinnamon, butter, and honey that would really be mouth watering once grilled or roasted. If you don’t have a panini press, you can use a frying pan and push down on the sandwich with another frying pan. You can even grill it in the oven if that’s what you have. The taste will still be phenomenal.

There are so many ways to make a veggie panini.

Here’s one way:

mozzarella cheese,

mushrooms,

green peppers,

cheddar cheese.

Spread the bread with pesto and add the fillings, then grill. You can also try sautéed sliced onions and mushrooms, cheese, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and red pepper for a different twist.

Meat lovers can always appreciate great tasting panini by filling their bread of choice with:

mozzarella cheese,

tomatoes,

fresh basil leaves,

prosciutto,

salami,

other meats of choice

Slightly brush bread with olive oil and heat it on a panini press, grill or oven and you are all set for a tasty meal. You can make a grilled ham panini with your choice of bread as well. Add mayonnaise, tomatoes, and smoked ham. You can even add pepperoni on it for an original taste.

For those who don’t have much of a budget for making panini, you can try tuna panini. Two slices of bread and a can of tuna are the key ingredients and of course anything else that you have on hand.

If your problem is that you don’t have a panini grill, you can use your stove and a skillet instead and cook in low heat. You can use something heavy to help you press your sandwich and make it similar to a panini grill. You can try a brick or even a spatula and press hard on the sandwich for 10 seconds before turning it over.

The idea behind making great panini is to be creative. Use whatever you have on hand…leftovers work great! Experiment and you will soon become the culinary panini chef on the block! Sign up to receive notification as soon as my new book –Easy Panini Recipes is released. In my book, you’ll find simple, step-by-step recipes that will help you on your way.

Easy Panini Recipes

Making panini is not as difficult as one may think. Panini refers to grilled sandwiches made in a sandwich grill press or grilling pan with all different fillings and your choice of Italian bread to make a mouth-watering treat.

Having simple, easy panini just consists of two slices of Ciabatta or Foccacia bread stuffed with salami, pepperoni, or prosciutto, mozzarella and other preferred cheese, tomatoes, fresh basil, roasted red peppers, and anything that your heart desires. Brush the sandwich with extra virgin olive oil then put it in a panini grill or press.

There are other methods and styles of making easy panini and some can be done even in just 3 minutes. You can make a pizza panini with Italian bread slices, your choice of pizza or pasta sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni or salami, green olives, green pepper and other preferred toppings. Just assemble the preferred ingredients and put it in a grill pan for about 3 to 4 minutes and you have a tasty pizza panini

Make a turkey club sandwich panini with sliced turkey, bacon (pre-cooked), tomatoes, mayonnaise, Swiss cheese, olive oil, and your choice of bread. Brush the bread with olive oil and put the ingredients together. Cook the panini until it is crisp on the outside and the cheese has already melted.

Grilled ham panini can be done with 2 slices of sour dough bread, mayonnaise, smoked ham or brown sugar ham, tomatoes, and preferred cheese. Just spread your bread slices with mayo and put the ham, tomatoes and cheese inside. Then grill it until it is lightly brown.

Creating panini can be really easy and fun. All you have to do is take a look inside your refrigerator and you might find your own panini creation.

Making Pizza Panini the Easy Way

Everybody loves pizza. The same thing holds true for panini sandwiches. But have you ever heard of pizza panini? You got it right! Pizza panini are actually a smaller version of a pizza. So how do you make a pizza panini?

Start by taking a loaf of French bread cut into four equal pieces. You can also use four small Italian rolls instead. Once prepared, evenly spread pizza sauce on the surface. Shred mozzarella cheese on top, or any type of cheese you desire.

Chop broccoli (frozen or fresh), mushrooms, and red peppers. Add the toppings to the bread, along with a generous amount of sliced pepperoni. Top it with about four tablespoons of finely grated parmesan cheese. Coat the outside of the bread with olive oil before grilling.

Place your prepared sandwiches on your grill pan or panini press. Once you notice the cheese melting, remove the baked pizza and set it aside to slightly cool. Slice diagonally and serve with some slices of red or yellow peppers.

If you do not have grill pan or press, you can still make a pizza panini on a non stick pan. Just make sure you cook it over medium high heat. For the sandwich to flatten, a smaller skillet can be used to press it down. After about two minutes or once the lower side is already down, carefully flip the sandwich and cook for another minute or two.

You don’t have to be an expert or a chef to create pizza panini, nor do you need those expensive and state of the art panini grills. Simply learn the basics; that way, you won’t have to order your favourite pizza at your local pizza shops.

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