Sandwich press ideas?

[PinkCloudDweller]

I've just got myself one! I dithered between a sandwich maker (the one that makes sealed, triangular toasted sandwiches) and the panini press. I went for the press as I thought it would give me more flexibility with bread types, which i thought was important as I bake my own bread. But I've been on Pintererest and you can do all sorts of thing with a sandwich maker - have I made the wrong decision? I've seen less interesting recipes for the press. Any ideas for unusual recipes?

[FormerlyCatherineDeB]

I am not sure what the difference is but i have got an ancient cast iron panini pan, just like a square pan with ridges on the bottom and on the heavy lid.

What can you use the other one for that you don't think you can use the panini press for?

IME a bit of fig preserve cheers up anything you make in it.

[evelynj]

Panini presses are great! Ham & cheese toasties always a winner here, or wraps toasted.

Do you mean you want to make other things than toasting breakage? I would I agile you could use them for makin pancakes or heating things up. I used to have a sealing sandwich toaster & it was a real pita to clean

[FormerlyCatherineDeB]

Forgot to add that staples here could be - dolcelatte and fig preserve with a bit of sliced apple and a few bits of spinach (or any other cheese that needs using up), anything else hanging around in the fridge like sliced roast meat plus cheese, fig preserve, etc., etc..

Or brie with apple or pear and walnuts or sliced apricots - anything I can find between the fridge and the pantry really. I like Cheddar with a spicy tomato chutney. Chutney of some sort is usually involved.

Not very imaginative, tends to be whatever we have got that needs eating.

[PinkCloudDweller]

Thanks, it sounds great! I forgot that you can also toast wraps, which is one of the reasons why I wanted a press in the first place!

[Curious541]

Yeah a toasted wrap is fab! I'd recommend smearing bbq sauce on one and adding chicken & cheese - really tasty

[botemp]

They're great for reheating things like pizza, baked goods, soggy chips, etc. I just stick a wooden spoon in it to keep the top elevated a bit. A lot quicker than heating up an oven.

Parchment paper is your best friend for keeping it clean, just sandwich the food between it, you still get the ridges but it doesn't burn as fast and the machine doesn't end up reeking whenever you turn it on.

If you have a fancier model (the Solis ones for example) it works as a proper grill too for fish, meat, fruit (peaches are fab with a bit of balsamic and vanilla ice cream), and veggies. Hashbrowns are easy to do and I can't vouch for this as a veggie but I know people use it for crispy bacon too. Quesadillas are also a breeze. Think there's people out there that make omelettes in them but I'm thinking that's more hassle than in a pan...

Try Googling panini press hacks, I'm sure there's crazier stuff out there.

[botemp]

I almost forgot! Asparagus is great in a panini press, a lot easier than fiddling in a grill pan. A friend wraps hers in bacon.