Italian Panini Sandwiches

For Christmas, I received a Panini grill from my parents! I don’t know why it makes sandwiches taste so yummy, but it does. Today, I made grilled Italian sandwiches for dinner and amazingly, everyone liked them! Frankie did decide to remove the tomatoes and peppers just prior to eating, but I won’t complain about that.

I also made some good old Ore Ida French fries as well. Not exactly the healthiest dinner, but a tasty dinner for an afternoon of watching football!

If you have a George Foreman Grill, you can also grill your sandwich on that. If you have neither, then you can cook it on an electric griddle or skillet.


Italian Panini Sandwiches (Yield: 4 sandwiches)

1 loaf soft Italian bread
½ lb. sliced provolone (I used Sargento Reduced Fat Provolone slices)
½ lb. thin sliced ham (not shaved)
¼ lb. salami
¼ lb. sandwich pepperoni
1 tomato, sliced
Mild Pepper Rings
Your favorite Italian dressing (I used Kraft Light House Italian)
Olive Oil

1. Heat your Panini or George Foreman grill according to the product manual.
2. Cut loaf of Italian bread into 4 equal portions. Slice each portion in half horizontally.
3. Turn the bread “inside out”, so the outsides of the bread will actually be on the inside.
4. Starting with the bread “bottoms”, layer in this order: 1 slice of cheese, 2 slices salami, 2 slices ham, 2 slices pepperoni, 1 slice cheese. Top with other slice of bread.
5. Brush both sides of bread with olive oil. Having the bread “inside out” will help the oil to seep into the bread.
6. Place 2 sandwiches at a time on the grill, and cook for 4-5 minutes or until golden. Watch sandwiches carefully! Your grill may require more or less time! Repeat with other 2 sandwiches.
7. Remove carefully and open sandwiches and place on 2 tomato slices, pepper rings, and spread with Italian dressing. Cut sandwiches in half and serve!


Happy Grilling! And GO COLTS! AFC CHAMPS!