These panini recipes range from a meat-lover's delight to a vegetarian's dream!

Panini recipes are simply sandwich recipes...but Italian panini just seem to have a little bit of an edge over your standard PB&J. Of course, it can be difficult to recreate these sandwiches to the level and standard that one might find on the Italian peninsula, but here you'll be able to find the recipes to get you as close as possible!



While traveling Italy, I ate my fair share of panini.

One of my favorites is a tomato and mozzarella panino. It's simple and really fast to put together. It can be served cold or grilled, and depending on the freshness of the ingredients, it could be quite possibly, the best thing you've ever tasted!

Then there is the slightly more complex, Italian-inspired muffaletta sandwich. Invented in the United States, specifically New Orleans, it has all the great characteristics of an Italian panino including the best Italian cold-cuts, cheese and seasonings.

If you like to grill, you'll love a grilled eggplant panino!

You can actually compile this entire sandwich on your barbecue, so it's perfect for the summer months. Or if it happens to be cold outside, it can also be prepared mostly in your oven or indoor grill!

For a more substantial sandwich, you can always add grilled chicken or cutlets. A lot of panini use sotto aceti, or pickled veggies like zucchini, eggplant or peppers. Olives also seem to make a regular guest appearance.

At an Italian panini shop, you can choose to have your sandwich cold or "pressed".

Hence where the popularity of the panini press came from here in the United States. They are a cool tool to own, if you have the space to store it. A press can really turn a simple sandwich into a great, warm and gooey meal.

But plain or pressed, every panino is only limited by your imagination, and they all have great possibilities for GREAT flavor!

Recipes