A New Toy

Pictured is a "Wolfgang Puck Multi Position Tri Grill Panini" that I got on Ebay recently. Interesting that they call it "a panini". "Panini" is the plural of "panino", which is simply a certain kind of sandwich to Italians. This type of appliance is also sold as a "panini press". Let's just call it a sandwich press for the sake of simplicity.

If you look up "panini" on any recipe site, you will find a few sandwich recipes that are intended to go through this pressing routine. Just remember how to make a toasted cheese sandwich and you're on the right track. Some of these recipes use 3 slices of bread, some only two, but they all have a thicker and more complicated filling, often including both meat and vegetables held together with mayo or some similar sauce. The upper plate is lowered onto the top of the sandwich(es), so that both slices of bread toast at the same time. Yes, I know, some would say you could just use a skillet, but with a sandwich press you cook both sides at the same time AND you don't have to finagle around to get the sandwiches to fit, AND the filling doesn't slop out when you are trying to turn them over.

Because this appliance can be used as a grill, you can cook chicken breasts or ham slices or burgers right on the grill, then add them as is or slice/chop the meat before mixing it the with the other ingredients. Serious vegetarians can simply leave out the meat and put in more veggies. Probably it is wise to use a dense bread like sourdough, or sliced French rolls, or even dinner rolls, or simply thicker slices of your favorite bread. Opening up the press to lay flat, it operates as a griddle where you could cook pancakes or fry eggs. Using the "fixed" position, with the upper grill plate above but not touching the food, you can melt cheese or heat a sauce... or even bake. What a wonderful world we live in!

I wonder sometimes how many kitchen appliances a person really needs, and then I realize that if I am to cook for the rest of my life, I probably need at least as many as I already have ;-)