The dimensions of the Mario Batali Panini Grill and Press are 22.5 x 12.3 inches and it weighs 15 pounds. This was one of the biggest makers of Panini and would be good for making quick and easy meals for a family and reviews stated that it was a high quality item that was easy to clean.
A toasty sandwich maker should be heavy-gauge cast iron with an equally sturdy lid to cook the top and produce nice grill marks. At 15 pounds, this Panini maker may be too heavy for some to lift, but a heavy pan and lid will conduct heat and brown much better. It also has high sides to sufficiently contain any cheese, juice, or marinade that might spill without reaching the top of the stove. This Panini maker is bigger than we needed to cook for two, so I bought an All Clad Panini maker that is smaller. I had a mess but after trying it a few more times I am very very pleased with it.
My first toasted sandwich was disaster. You can’t rush a Panini maker! After getting the smoke out of the house and a few jokes from my husband, I learned how to turn the heat down! It seems to work best when the pan and press are preheated to medium heat or slightly below. Be sure to preheat pan and press separate burners. It is also necessary to spray pan and iron with non-stick cooking spray or iron with a little oil. Be careful when lifting the press as some of these handles can get very hot.
One of our favorite toasted sandwiches is to take a 1-inch slice of sourdough bread, brush both sides with olive oil or butter, layer with smoked gouda, prosciutto, onion, tomato, fontina cheese, and a slice of bread, place in your preheated Panini Maker and grill. Better yet, experiment! Make a toasted sandwich with your favorite ingredients. In minutes you’ll have a wonderful, quick meal with your favorite ingredients.
We live in Oklahoma, which can mean days and days of windy weather not to mention emerging thunderstorms wreaking havoc on a chickadee! A Panini maker can also make a great stovetop grill. Mine has worked great for grilling meat, grilling asparagus, and other vegetables. Toss the asparagus in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and cook on the grill. Crisp-tender asparagus takes 2-3 minutes. Another favorite vegetable is a small yellow squash cut in half, brushed with olive oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, and basil or Italian seasoning, and grilled until just beginning to soften.
A Panini maker would also work for breakfast. We like to put a slice of Canadian bacon and cheese between two English muffin halves and broil it until golden brown. I found a recipe that the kids would love and it’s very, very easy. Divide 6 mini bagels into 2 halves, spread creamy peanut butter and grape jelly on bottom half, top with top half, and grill. The kids have a hot breakfast they’ll love!
Remember, a recipe is just a guide!
