Panini help please

[lurky]

I hope that of the 40,000+ BYCers, there are some panini people. I see some mouth watering recipe's in taste of home and i have wanted to get a
panini maker for a very long time. I avoid it because i cant stand the word Panini, and i am afraid i will get a junky one and wish i had gotten a better one.
I'm getting over the name by looking at all the pictures in the cookbooks, but i am hoping some of you might have some suggestions if you already have one, and love it

I have no idea if these are popular or not, so i guess i just hope to get some feedback. Thanks

 

[ozark hen]

I make paninis all the time here. We love them! I have a Hamilton-Beach grill-sort of like a George Foreman's grill. I do not like the G.F. grill but love the H.B. I make up our sandwiches and place them inside the H.B. then take a tea towel and press for about 20 seconds down on the lid. It stays compressed and makes the very best paninis! I honestly wouldn't have anything else to make them.

 

[lurky]

Thanks, I'll go check that out

I hope more people have input because i want to check out a few.
I am so tired of wishing i had gotten something else, so i am going to try to get a good one first time.

 

[SurprisingWoman]

Two cast iron skillets. Heat both, grease one, put the sandwich in the greased skillet, put the other heated one on top and use it as a press.

 

[vfem]

Quote:
Yep, I have a Hamilton-Beach grill and I just place everything on the sandwich and grill!!!

Peppers and cheese are the most important ingredient to me. I also oil the bread and not the grill. I also get my bread from the bakery clearance rack of Walmart. 40% off day old bread is the best to grill!!!

Picked up a loaf of sour dough today... will make a nice turkey sandwich pinini tomorrow!!!

 

[ozark hen]

With the large Hamilton-Beach grill I can also make burgers, chicken breasts and any kind of sandwich you want. It is a versatile grill.

 

[lurky]

Well so far the 2 i am looking at is the Hamilton Beach, and the cuisinart GR4 that i found when i searched for the Hamilton beach.
I actually wondered if the Cuisinart was overkill, or awesome

I also would love to hear some favorite panini sandwichs to try when i get a grill. And how to prep the bread. Vfem said oil on the bread?
What about butter? do some use mayo?

 

[Dragonfly Ranch]

I have one made by VillaWare and love it. I would look for adjustable heat setting.

We make all kinds - what ever is laying around - shredded chicken from tacos, a bit of basil or pesto - fresh tomato and Havarti cheese.

There is a REALLY cool way to cook a Cornish Game hen on a Panini press in 10 minutes! Learned how to do from Alton Brown on the cooking channel. So moist and perfect for two people. Will give details if people want to know.

I also use for grilling boneless chicken breasts and hamburger patties. It really helps with keeping the spattering mess down.

My only complaint is they are kind of a pain in the butt to clean - I have gotten used to it now and can get it done pretty fast. Mine doesn't come apart.

Also, I would Ebay and look there - you probably can get a good deal. Here is a link to Amazon.com Looks like good prices there too.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref...&keywords=panini+grill&ie=UTF8&qid=1253303691

Good Luck

Sandee