Crisp crust, warm tasty fillings with melted cheese – no wonder paninis have become popular. Here’s a quick version filled with smoked turkey from the deli, roasted red pepper, fresh basil and goat cheese. There’s almost no prep work. The sandwich can be assembled in minutes.
You don’t need a special panini press. Simply place the sandwich in a skillet and press it down with a lid that will fit inside the skillet. Continue to press until the panini is cooked. Or, place another skillet over the panini to press it down and add a large can or other weight on top.
Ciabatta bread is the typical bread used for a panini. It’s an Italian bread shaped like a slipper and takes its name from ciabatta, the Italian word for slipper. It’s long, wide and a little flat and perfect for sandwiches. You can use a large baguette, Italian sub roll or focaccia.
Helpful Hints:
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese or a stronger cheese such as gorgonzola can be used instead of goat cheese.