Features of making an Italian sandwich, TOP-9 best recipes for delicious panini. Video recipes.
Panini is an Italian sandwich made of two pieces of different types of baked goods, usually ciabatta, stuffed with different foods. Unlike sandwiches, it is grilled until crispy.
Features of cooking panini
Translated from Italian "panini" or "panino" means "little bun". However, if you have ever tried the signature sandwich, you should have noticed that it has nothing to do with the adjective "small". This is the main difference between the dish and other analogues - its size, since panini is prepared from a whole baguette.
Another distinctive feature of this sandwich is that it is served only hot. Although once this dish was considered peasant, the inhabitants of the sunny country came up with an incredible number of fillings for their sandwiches, and now panini is a bright and satisfying decoration of any, even a festive table.
According to the classic recipe, the panini contains white ciabatta bread, fried meat or ham, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Many other recipes are now invented, so sandwiches can be made without the traditional ingredients on hand.
Italian ciabatta differs from other types of white bread primarily in its airiness. This flour product, like many others, is baked from flour, yeast and water. But the "highlight" is that it is necessary to knead the dough with a special powerful mixer. Only then will you get the classic holes inside the bakery product. It is recommended to handle the dough as carefully as possible. Only by observing all the rules for making Italian bread can you achieve an airy and delicate crumb texture on the inside with a hard and crispy crust on the outside. If you don't have an Italian ciabatta in your inventory, don't worry, you can replace it with a baguette or focaccio.
It is very important not to cut the bread across or too thin. If you prefer juicy sandwiches, add vegetables such as tomatoes, pickles or herbs to the filling. Be careful not to put too many vegetables - the bread can get soaked in this case.
The same advice applies to sauce. If you've included it in your snack recipe, don't overdo it.
In order for the two pieces of Italian sandwich to stick together, cheese, preferably mozzarella, is placed in the filling. You can also make panini with other cheeses, but most often Italians use soft varieties in their recipes.
Before placing the ingredients between two buns, grease the inside with a little extra virgin olive oil.
The most crunchy paninis are obtained in a sandwich maker, multi-baker or in an electric grill. Do not be discouraged if your kitchen does not have such appliances, you can cook them in a regular frying pan under a press, which can be a jar or saucepan of water, a cast-iron frying pan or some other oppression.
The option of cooking snacks in the oven is allowed. It must be warmed up to 180 degrees, put the assembled sandwich on parchment paper. When the bun is browned, you can take it out and enjoy the taste of real Italy at home.
TOP 9 recipes for making panini
A simple yet delicious panini snack can be a hearty snack for an adult as well as a healthy breakfast or lunch for a child. After all, you can include all kinds of ingredients in the recipe. The only thing left to do is to choose the filling - traditional meat, vegetables and cheese or experiments in combination of fruits and soft cheese?
Classic panini
To prepare this dish, you can bake a ciabatta yourself or buy ready-made bread in the store. Similar baked goods such as focaccio or baguette will also work.
- Caloric content per 100 g - 260 kcal.
- Servings - 1
- Cooking time - 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- Ciabatta - 1 pc.
- Mozzarella - 4 slices
- Ham - 3 slices
- Tomato - 1 pc.
- Basil - 3-4 leaves
- Pesto sauce to taste
- Salt to taste
- Olive oil - 1 tsp
How to prepare a classic panini step by step:
- Cut fresh ciabatta lengthwise into two equal parts.
- Brush the halves of the bread with the pesto sauce.
- Place mozzarella on one slice of ciabatta, then ham and tomatoes. Salt the sandwich.
- Add basil leaves and a couple of mozzarella slices to the tomatoes.
- Top with the remaining bun.
- Panini can be prepared using an electric grill or a sandwich maker. If these appliances are not available in your kitchen, use a grill pan.
- Place the stuffed baguette in a hot skillet with olive oil and place a press on top. For example, a cast iron skillet, or a pot of water.
- When the Italian sandwich is browned on one side, turn it over and fry again.
- Serve hot.
Panini with chicken
In Italy, juicy sandwiches are served at any time of the day as a hot snack. Try adding chicken to your panini recipe, then it will definitely deserve the title of an independent dish.
Ingredients:
- Baguette or ciabatta - 1 pc.
- Green leaf lettuce - 2-3 leaves
- Mozzarella - 3 slices
- Chicken fillet - 1 pc.
- Tomato - 1 pc.
- Pesto sauce - 2 tablespoons
How to prepare chicken panini step by step:
- Cut the buns lengthwise into equal-sized pieces.
- Boil the chicken fillet and chop it.
- Brush the baguette halves with pesto sauce.
- Put the mozzarella on the bread first, followed by the tomato, lettuce and chicken.
- Cover with the other half of the ciabatta.
- Bake the formed sandwich in an electric grill or in a frying pan under pressure on both sides until golden brown.
Panini with ham
This recipe is also considered traditional for Italians, except that it does not include tomatoes.
Ingredients:
- White bread - 1 pc.
- Ham - 3-4 slices
- Cheese - 3-4 slices
- Olive oil, basil and paprika to taste
How to prepare the ham panini step by step:
- Cut the bread into two equal pieces.
- Brush the baguette halves with olive oil.
- Top with ham, then basil and cheese. You can repeat the layers if you want.
- Top with the other half of the bun and bake in a sandwich maker, waffle iron or grill pan until golden brown.
Panini with mushrooms
Suitable for both vegetarians and mushroom lovers. You can use both fresh champignons and any others, including frozen mushrooms.
Ingredients:
- Onions - 1 pc.
- Mushrooms - 300 g
- Garlic - 1 clove
- Baguette - 1 piece
- Mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons
- Mozzarella cheese - 100 g
- Salt, pepper - to taste
- Olive oil - for frying
How to prepare panini with mushrooms step by step:
- Wash champignons or any of your favorite mushrooms, cut into large pieces.
- Peel the onion, chop finely and fry until golden brown in olive oil.
- Add chopped clove of garlic to the onion, fry, stirring for 1-2 minutes.
- Combine mushrooms, onions and garlic and fry until tender.
- Cut the baguette lengthwise, grease the halves with mayonnaise.
- Put cheese on one slice of bun, followed by mushrooms and cheese again. Cover with the remaining bread.
- Bake the panini in a waffle iron or in a multi-pot on the grill. Serve hot.
Panini with apples and brie
You have already learned how to make classic panini, so it's time to start experimenting. This dish can surprise both households and guests who ran into the light. And making Italian sandwiches is easy and simple.
Ingredients:
- Bun - 1 pc.
- Mustard - 1 tsp
- Apple - 1 pc.
- Brie cheese - 4 slices
How to make apple panini with brie cheese step by step:
- Cut a fresh bun or baguette into two equal halves and brush them with mustard.
- Wash the apple, cut it, remove the core with a knife, chop it into thin slices.
- Place the brie cheese on one half of the bread and then the apples, cover with the other half.
- Send the stuffed bun to bake in the oven or in the multi-baker.
Panini with tuna
This version of the Italian sandwich is a storehouse of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. If you haven't tried fish sandwiches yet, it's time to make a big and nutritious tuna panini for yourself.
Ingredients:
- Baguette - 1 pc.
- Canned tuna - 1 can
- Lettuce leaves - 2 pcs.
- Chicken egg - 1 pc.
- Olive oil - 1 tsp
- Red onion - 1/2 pc.
How to prepare tuna panini step by step:
- Cut the baguette lengthwise into two parts. Sprinkle the halves with olive oil.
- Place lettuce, egg and tuna on one slice of bread.
- Peel the red onion, cut into rings. If you like it sharper, you can put the whole onion to the tuna.
- Cover with the other half of the bread, bake in a grill pan under pressure, in the oven or in a waffle iron until crisp.
Panini with arugula and mozzarella
In ancient Rome, it was believed that arugula was able to relieve pain. Currently, it is used as a spice, garnish, decoration of dishes and even, as it turned out, filling for sandwiches. In addition, green leaves are rich in iodine, calcium, iron, vitamins A, E and C.
Ingredients:
- Ciabatta - 1 pc.
- Arugula - 100 g
- Dried basil - 1 tablespoon
- Olive oil - 4 tablespoons
- Ham - 4 slices
- Buffalo mozzarella - 2 pcs.
How to prepare panini with arugula and mozzarella step by step:
- Cut the bread into two equal parts.
- Add basil to olive oil and stir.
- Brush each piece of ciabatta with the mixture.
- Place the mozzarella slices on the oily side of the bread and drizzle with the rest of the olive oil.
- Add arugula and ham to the filling. If there is still cheese left, add it to the sandwich for an even better taste.
- Cover with the other half of the bread.
- Bake on the electric grill until golden and crispy.
Panini with grilled vegetables
Now you do not need to force your children or husband, an avid meat-eater, to eat more vegetables, because there will be enough of them in this panini recipe. Believe me, your family will come running to the table themselves, feeling the spicy aroma. Vegetarians, by the way, will also be delighted.
Ingredients:
- Ciabatta - 1 pc.
- Small eggplant - 1 pc.
- Zucchini - 1 pc.
- Red bell pepper - 1 pc.
- Onions - 1 pc.
- Garlic - 1 wedge
- Olive oil - 4 tablespoons
- Mozzarella - 3 slices
- Pesto sauce to taste
- Basil - 3 leaves
How to prepare panini with grilled vegetables step by step:
- Wash the vegetables, cut into large pieces, fry in a grill pan or bake in the oven.
- Fry onions and garlic in oil until golden brown. Stir in vegetables.
- Cut the ciabatta in half lengthwise. Brush the inside of the halves with pesto sauce.
- Place grilled vegetables, mozzarella and basil leaves on a bun.
- Bake in the oven under pressure or in a waffle iron.
Panini with fried egg
Another original way to make a sandwich. If you are tired of eggs for breakfast, and there is no time for complex dishes, this high-carbohydrate and healthy meal will be very useful.
Ingredients:
- Bun - 1 pc.
- Chicken egg - 1 pc.
- Bacon - 2 slices
- Lettuce leaves - 2 pcs.
- Salt, pepper - to taste
- Butter to taste
How to prepare the fried egg panini step by step:
- Fry the chicken egg and bacon slices.
- Cut the bun into two halves, put the cheese on one of them, then the bacon and a fried egg.
- Add lettuce leaves to the filling, cover with the second half of the bread.
- Bake in an electric grill or oven until crisp.
Panini video recipes
As you can see, Italian panini is a very simple dish, but at the same time original in composition and choice of fillings. This snack can be offered at any time of the day, and most of the ingredients are likely to be found on the shelves of your refrigerator. In addition, you can easily come up with your own original panini recipe. The main thing is to cook with love.
