Say hello to my new love. You all are probably tuned in to the joys of panini already but I'm a late-comer to the grill scene. This beauty is actually the second model I tried. The first one (I won't name any names here) had to go back to the store...it just wasn't solid enough for me. But, this Calphalon is lovely and has removable plates so it's oh-so easy to clean. I know, you're thinking paninis don't have anything to do with art...or do they? Just look at this luscious creation:
You start with what looks like a run of the mill (but delicious) sandwich...
...and the magical panini press transforms it into a crispy-on-the-outside, gooey-melty-on-the-inside, gastronomical delight. Oh, and I found a fabulous panini blog...yes!...a panini blog! Check out Panini Happy. Not only are her photos beautiful but her recipes are truly works of art. Wife Whisperer wasn't completely sold on the whole panini phenom but even he couldn't resist their heavenly tastiness. So, we've been eating panini almost exclusively for about three weeks now until I discovered I could use it to cook stuff like this:
Uh...yum!
Mmmnnn Paninni. . .my thighs groan at the thought , but my heart yearrrrrnsss - yummy goodnesses!
Posted by: Kim V | Thursday, April 09, 2009 at 06:59 PM
YUMMY! I love paninis, and I love Calphalon products. Hmmmmm..
Posted by: lee w. | Thursday, April 02, 2009 at 07:17 AM
Oh yes, this IS art -- food and how it is prepared can be some of the best art!! And eating..eating is an art form too!! :) I love those sandwiches (and looking at these is making me drool!!). My son has one of these in the house he rents with his buddies at University -- we don't have one here but now you've got me thinking!!!
Posted by: sherry | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 06:44 PM
You're making my mouth water. I thought about picking one of those machines up around Christmas time but didn't, thinking I could use my George Foreman grill just the same. Didn't even do that either. ha It looks so yum and I'm so hungry. Have fun torturing us with pics. I'm off to see that blog you mentioned.
Posted by: kris | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 06:04 PM
looks more than yummy Deryn but that would be just too dangerous around here (bread lovers...!) I'm thinking you should try something like croissants with a filling of nutella and sliced bananas for dessert - maybe a little vanilla ice cream on the side and a sprinkle of powdered sugar....mmmmmm I hear the calorie counter clicking away already....but hey you only live once....lol
Posted by: Michelle | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Ok if you made that asparagus in the panini maker I need two things.
1. A Panini maker
2. The recipe for the asparagus
If I also might ask where did you buy the grill and how expensive was it? I have looked at several but haven't found one with all of the features I wanted.
Posted by: Beth Bricker | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Wow, you make panini more than me now - LOL! So glad you're enjoying your grill and thanks so much for the shout. Your sandwiches and asparagus look delicious!
Posted by: Kathy - Panini Happy | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 04:02 PM
Cheese with artichoke hearts. Yum!
Posted by: Morna Crites-Moore | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 03:03 PM
Oh Panini, one of my true loves. Thinking very fondly of a cuban press, which is the king of paninis (in my opinion)now I am hungry
Posted by: patty | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 01:44 PM
Grilled "samiches" are one of our favorites and I used to get lunch at a place where they made paninis but I had no idea they could be used for that delicacy of the Spring-- asparagus! I guess I'll have to dig out that Williams-Sonoma catalog!
Posted by: Christine Damm | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 01:21 PM
I love Paninis and my panini maker (though I'm thinking the one with the removable plates would be nicer). You can cook so much stuff on them - during our remodel (3 months, no kitchen) our panini maker got a workout! It was great! Enjoy all the goodies you can make!
Posted by: Jackie | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 10:59 AM
I have resisted such a contraption because I know I would fluff up and double in size for sure. As if I'm not already fluffy enough
Posted by: Sharon @ norah'S | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 10:16 AM
Uh...Oh!! I'm in trouble.....I've always wanted one, but my kitchen is full....and I don't love to cook.....but this looks easy and I do love paninis! Where will I put it....hmmmm....you tempt us in so many ways...thanks for your fun and "educational" blog....I was sharing it with some of my B&B guests last nite....they love your site...also thanks for the kind comment you left me on my post about Roma....sherry
Posted by: Sherry Peck | Wednesday, April 01, 2009 at 10:01 AM