Panini 101

Welcome to Panini 101 – an ongoing series designed to give you tips and techniques for how to make great panini sandwiches. Check out the following articles:
- NEW! Panini Press Buying Advice: What to Look For – I’ve defined the key features that I’ve found to be most valuable in the grills I use and I’ve done a little of the legwork for you to find some models that offer them.
- How to Make Panini - Your step-by-step guide to successfully making any type of panini you can dream up.
- How to Make Panini Without a Panini Press - A panini press is easiest, but don’t fret if you don’t have one – chances are there’s a tool in your kitchen that will work just fine.
- How to Make Panini With a Cast-Iron Panini Press – Insights and tips for grilling panini with a cast-iron press and skillet.
- 8 Tips for Making Great Panini – Want to make panini that are as tasty as at your local cafe? These tips will set you on the right track.
- The Grill Method Smackdown – Learn the pros and cons of the 3 most popular panini grilling methods.
- Cheese, Please! - An exploration of a variety of delicious cheeses that taste great in panini
- Ingredients to Keep on Hand – Find out how to stock your fridge and pantry to have great panini anytime.
Is there a topic you’d like to see covered? Please let me know in the comments! In the meantime, happy grilling!

Yup, it's a panini blog! Here, you'll find more than 80 of my original 











{ 1 trackback }
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey there!
JUST bought our Panini maker tonight, (the model that you and Oprah suggest by the way!) and we had our first dinner with it. We loved it. It was quick, easy, and yunmmy too! We are now going to be really reading this blogsite and coming up with YOUR ideas to try (tee hee hee.) Will let you know how it is going. FIrst we have to read Panini 101!
Thanks for all you are doing for us beginners!
Warm Panini Hugs,
~B
[Reply]
Bob – Congrats on the new grill! Hope you guys have a great time experimenting with it!!
[Reply]
I am so glad I found your website. I just received a panini press for Christmas and have been looking for recipes, suggesti0ns for cooking , bread recommendations etc. so I am so thrilled that I found you. Thanks in advance forall the infoI can not wait to read it all.
[Reply]
This is a beautiful website, and I love how it is dedicated to panini primarily.
Are you aware that “Panini” is the plural form of “panino”. So, if you are talking about one panino, the plural form should not be used. Forgive me if you already knew this. I just noticed that you show pictures of one panino and still write “panini” on the top. Anyway, keep up the awesome site!! Take care!
[Reply]
Hi – I just ordered a new George Foreman Grill the other night, it was QVC’s Today Special Value. I bought it for the purpose of making panini…it has adjustable height and temp control….so hopefully it will work well. I’m definitely going to use the tips and recipes from this site! I’ll let you know how this new GF Grill works out.
[Reply]
I’m liking my low tech, cast iron method for now, partly because of the lack of counter space and no more room for more appliances in storage!
But if that changes, I may have to try a Breville.
Have you thought of trying to do panini on an actual grill?
[Reply]
What BRAND/style of Panini press do YOU recommend?
[Reply]
Kathy Reply:
November 15th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Hi Laura – I use two Breville models, which have served me well. Several friends own the Cuisinart Griddler. Both brands are easy to use and to clean.
[Reply]