Tag: panini

Roasted Red Pepper Panini using the Cuisinart Griddler

Oh you delicious, crunchy, dripping, yummy sandwich you! This roasted red pepper panini using the Cuisinart Griddler is just another reason my Griddler is right there on my countertop. Front and center. Used almost daily. Because in just minutes I can have a restaurant-quality sandwich for a fraction of the cost. Hot off the press. Perfect.

Roasted Red Pepper Panini using the Cuisinart Griddler

The World Is Your Panini

I tend to put Italian deli meats on my sandwiches. It’s not required. You can use your favorites. But I have found that makes this wonderful pack of Italian meats that also includes provolone cheese. It’s priced right and makes for fantastic sandwiches like this roasted red pepper panini using the Cuisinart Griddler. This isn’t rocket science, as they say. Just use good ingredients and you’ll have a great sandwich.

Just Leave It Be

After you place your sandwich on the hot griddle just leave it alone. Don’t go playing with it. Don’t turn it. Or flip it. Don’t open it to see what’s going on between the slices of bread. Just wait until the outsides get toasty crunchy brown. Then remove it. Then enjoy.

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

Also try an Italian panini with giardiniera relish.

Roasted Red Pepper Panini using the Cuisinart Griddler
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Roasted Red Pepper Panini using the Cuisinart Griddler

A restaurant-quality sandwich for a fraction of the cost.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Griddler, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 473kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 slices Italian bread thicker is better
  • 4 slices Genoa salami
  • 6 slices hot salami or sandwich pepperoni
  • 2 slices provolone cheese
  • roasted red pepper to taste, cut into strips or chopped, patted dry
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil olive oil
  • mayonnaise to taste, optional

Instructions

  • Pre-heat your Griddler with the dials set for high-heat panini griddles.
  • Set out the bread slices on a cutting board or counter top.
  • Top with the meats and cheese.
  • Top the sandwiches with the peppers.
  • Add the top slices of bread to form the sandwiches.
  • Brush the outsides of the bread slices with the oil.
  • Transfer to the Griddler and close the lid. Cook until the bread is golden brown and crunchy.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before opening to add mayonnaise to inside of top pieces of bread.
  • Slice and serve.

Notes

Do not put a lot of pressure on the griddle lid while cooking as it will cause the meats and cheese to escape. Try to keep the lid level so that the tops of the sandwiches cook evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1304mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black

Italian Panini With Giardiniera Relish using the Cuisinart Griddler

I think that the Cuisinart Griddler is one of the best kitchen appliances that I own. I use (often) it for everything from pancakes to burgers to these Italian panini with giardiniera relish. Paninis come out spectacularly on the Griddler. The bread gets perfectly crunchy and golden brown. The cheese gets nicely ooey and gooey. All this in minutes with really easy cleanup. It’s impossible to go wrong with it.

Italian Panini With Giardiniera Relish using the Cuisinart Griddler

Relish for the Win

The giardiniera relish adds a wonderful flavor to these Italian panini made using the Cuisinart Griddler. I used a mild relish but you can go with a hotter version if that’s what you like. The relish comes in a flavorful oil that adds even more flavor to the sandwiches.

Aldi for the Win

For the bread, meats and cheese my go-to place has become my local store. They have great breads and their deli meats are available at a great price. And they have a great variety of them too, so I never get bored with my paninis.

Alpino Relish Giardiniera Mild, 12 oz
Alpino Relish Giardiniera Mild, 12 oz

Also try a great toasted Italian sandwich using the Cuisinart Griddler.

Italian Panini With Giardiniera Relish using the Cuisinart Griddler
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Italian Panini With Giardiniera Relish using the Cuisinart Griddler

The giardiniera relish adds a wonderful flavor to these Italian panini.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Griddler, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 473kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 slices Italian bread thicker is better
  • 4 slices Genoa salami
  • 6 slices hot salami or sandwich pepperoni
  • 2 slices provolone cheese
  • Gardiniera relish to taste
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil olive oil

Instructions

  • Pre-heat your Griddler with the dials set for high-heat panini griddles.
  • Set out the bread slices on a cutting board or counter top.
  • Top with the meats and cheese.
  • Top the sandwiches with the relish. Be heavy handed or go light with it, it's up to you. Be sure to get some of the oil from the relish too.
  • Add the top slices of bread to form the sandwiches.
  • Brush the outsides of the bread slices with the oil.
  • Transfer to the Griddler and close the lid. Cook until the bread is golden brown and crunchy.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before slicing (if desired) and serving.

Notes

Do not put a lot of pressure on the griddle lid while cooking as it will cause the meats and cheese to escape. Try to keep the lid level so that the tops of the sandwiches cook evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 473kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1304mg | Potassium: 283mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Calcium: 149mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black

Sweet and Savory Turkey Panini

We made an awesome Cajun-injected turkey breast on our Char-Broil Big Easy for Christmas this year. Since it was just the two of us we ended up with quite a bit of leftover turkey meat. The last time we had extra turkey we made the most outstandingly good chipotle turkey salad sandwiches. This time, we made a sweet and savory turkey panini that was beyond fantastic. Maple bacon, crispy fried shallots, cheese, and chipotle mayonnaise. A little heat, a little crunch, a whole lot of flavor.

Sweet and Savory Turkey Panini

Oh, The Chipotle Mayonnaise!

After making a sweet and savory turkey panini you’ll want to put chipotle mayonnaise on every sandwich you ever make. And you’ll want to top them with fried shallots. Trust me. It happened to me. I went on a fried shallot kick like the world has never seen! They’re like onion rings but so much better. The cayenne pepper really goes well against the sweetness of the shallots.

I made this sandwich on my Cuisinart Griddler. It is a sandwich-cooking beast of a kitchen tool. I use mine often, for a heck of a lot more than sandwiches, too. Breakfast, lunch or dinner, it doesn’t matter. It can handle it.

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

My toasted Italian sandwich, also made using a Griddler, is also fantastic.

Sweet and Savory Turkey Panini
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Sweet and Savory Turkey Panini

Maple bacon, crispy fried shallots, cheese, and chipotle mayonnaise. A little heat, a little crunch, a whole lot of flavor.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword sandwich, turkey
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 926kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Aaran McCargo Jr

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • Add enough oil to a small Dutch oven or pot to have 2″ of oil. Heat to 375 F.
  • Preheat a large skillet, Griddler, or panini press.
  • Line a baking sheet pan with foil and add bacon. Do not overlap (use a second baking sheet if you need to). Bake 10 minutes, flip and bake another 10-15 minutes (depending on thickness) until starting to crisp. Remove and place bacon on a paper-towel lined plate. Cover to keep warm.
  • Combine the flour, cayenne and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl.
  • Add the shallots and toss to coat well.
  • Working in batches, shake off excess flour mixture and add shallots to the hot oil.
  • Fry 2-3 minutes per side until crispy golden. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
  • Whisk together the mayo, chipotles, adobo sauce, cilantro, lemon and garlic. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Cut bread loaf in half horizontally.
  • Slather bread with chipotle mayonnaise on both cut sides.
  • Add cheese, bacon, shallots, turkey to bottom bread piece and cover with top piece. Cut into 8 sandwiches.
  • Brush tops of sandwiches with melted butter.
  • Working in batches, cook sandwiches 3-4 minutes until bread starts to crisp. If cooking in a skillet cover sandwich with another skillet to press down on it while cooking.

Notes

You can make these using thick-cut turkey sandwich meat, too.

Nutrition

Calories: 926kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 54g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 1378mg | Potassium: 728mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 734IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 285mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black

Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Grilled cheese sandwiches aren’t uncommon in our household, not at all. They’re easy and good and that’s all you can ask for. But, sometimes I just gotta mix things up. Not crazy mix things up, but crazy good mix things up. The filling in these crab grilled cheese sandwiches is just like a good crab salad. It just needs a little ‘help’, and that comes in the form of melted oooey gooey Swiss cheese on crispy golden bread. A nice crunch then creamy salad and cheese. Perfect.

Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Simple. Yet Delicious.

The crab salad inside these crab grilled cheese sandwiches is actually quite good and simple. It’d also be perfect inside appetizer sandwiches. Ya know, the fancy ones they serve at teas.

I used my Cuisinart Griddler to make these sandwiches.

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

Also try my mushroom grilled cheese and my white pizza grilled cheese sandwiches.

Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Print Pin
4 from 1 vote

Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

The filling in these crab grilled cheese sandwiches is just like a good crab salad. It just needs a little ‘help’, and that comes in the form of melted oooey gooey Swiss cheese on crispy golden bread. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crab, grilled cheese, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 sandwiches
Calories 456kcal
Author Mike

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces lump crab meat picked over for shells
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise plus more, perhaps
  • 4 tablespoons green onions chopped
  • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 4 slices bread I used 6 small slices of Vienna bread
  • 4 slices Swiss cheese
  • 1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

  • In a bowl combine the crab, mayonnaise, green onions, lemon zest and pepper.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat or turn a panini press on high.
  • Slather one side of each piece of bread with butter.
  • Lay two slices of bread-butter side down in the skillet or onto the panini press.
  • Add a slice of cheese to each, then divide the crab mixture between them.
  • Add remaining slice of cheese to each and top with other piece of bread, butter-side up.
  • Fry until golden brown on the bottom then flip and fry on the other side until done, or close your press and cook until nice and golden brown.
  • Remove from skillet or panini press and slice and serve.

Notes

Also great made using pepper jack cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 456kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 1166mg | Potassium: 352mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 446IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 406mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)
Fullstar Mandoline Slicer for Kitchen, Cheese Grater Vegetable Spiralizer and Veggie Slicer for Cooking & Meal Prep, Kitchen Gadgets Organizer & Safety Glove Included (11 in 1, White)

Buffalo Chicken Panini

I made a nice big ole batch of slow cooker shredded Buffalo chicken the other day. One of my favorite things to make with it is Buffalo chicken panini. It takes only minutes to make yet it’s absolutely packed with flavor. Crunchy bread. Smoky bacon. Ooey gooey cheese. Tangy blue cheese (or gorgonzola if you prefer a little milder flavor). Kickin’ chicken. And cool, crunchy slaw.

Buffalo Chicken Panini

I Use My Griddler For Perfect Paninis

I could eat a Buffalo chicken panini all day long. My Cuisinart Griddler does a great job of crisping up the bread and melting the cheese. I use my Griddler for everything from breakfast to dinner. Check out my other recipes all made with the Griddler!

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Buffalo Chicken Panini
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Buffalo Chicken Panini

One of my favorite things to make with it is Buffalo chicken panini. It takes only minutes to make yet it’s absolutely packed with flavor. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo, chicken, sandwich
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 sandwiches
Calories 618kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bread thick slices
  • butter
  • 2 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 slices thick bacon cooked
  • ½ cup Buffalo chicken shredded, warmed (see our slow-cooker or Big Easy recipes for making Buffalo chicken)
  • 2 tablespoons blue cheese crumbled
  • ½ cup coleslaw mix
  • 2 tablespoons Ranch dressing

Instructions

  • Preheat a panini press or skillet.
  • Spread butter on one side of each piece of bread.
  • Place two slices butter-side down on the press or in the skillet.
  • Divide cheese and bacon between sandwiches.
  • Combine the chicken with the blue cheese and divide between the sandwiches.
  • Mix the slaw and Ranch dressing and divide between the sandwiches.
  • Add remaining bread slices butter-side up and close press.
  • Cook until the bread is toasted and golden. If using a skillet flip the sandwiches once the bottom is done and cook the other side until toasted and golden.

Notes

Drizzle the sandwiches with a little Ranch or serve it on the side for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 618kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 2904mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black