Paninis...even better than Toasted sandwiches!

A couple of months I stayed up until 2 am on a school night watching with fascination a show on the Food network that was featuring Paninis. They are like sandwiches that have been squished and grilled. The guy on the show was making them in a panini grill, which I don't have and didn't really know where to find. He also used a brick wrapped in tin foil and a frying pan for the same effect. This seemed like a lot of work. So, I went panini-less for many months...until this weekend. Rob, among his numerous unused kitchen gadgets, has a George Foreman Lean Mean Grilling Machine. Which is like a panini grill except that it's got grooves in it that make grill marks. I have always thought that Toasted sandwiches were better than Untoasted. Now, I propose the Panini...even better than a Toasted sandwich!

So here is the general idea:

Make a sandwich as you normally would, then drizzle olive oil on both sides of the sandwich. Squish inside the panini grill (or alternative) and leave it in until the sandwich gets all nice and golden.

Mine was roast beef on rye with lettuce, spicy mustard, and sundried tomato and basil havarti. I had it three meals in a row.

When i get back to Vancouver I will have to buy myself a George Foreman grill. I will also try using non-stick cooking spray and butter to see if you get the same golden, crunchy crust. I'll let you know how that goes.