panini madness :: 10 recipe ideas

Easy, breezy and vegan-cheesy

On nights when I'm too spent to cook, which seems to be often these days, I pull out my trusty panini press. I own the no-frills Bella Cucina model which I bought at Macy's many moons ago on sale for $20. It was money well spent. On Wednesday night, I threw together a delicioso Roasted Red Pepper and Cheddar Panino with Kale with minimal effort.

Italian tidbit: We Americans tend to call all pressed sandwiches panini, whether we're referring to one or 10. To be correct though, or to win big on "Jeopardy," use the singular panino when referring to one sandwich and the plural panini, when referring to more than one. Same goes for biscotto/biscotti, cappuccino/cappuccini, etc.

First, I pan-roasted some CSA-share red peppers. To pan roast peppers, just heat some olive oil over medium. You can also add garlic and/or onions if you want, or simply use garlic-infused olive oil, like I did. Toss in chopped, seeded peppers and salt. Turn heat to high, then when the peppers start to sizzle, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for about 45 minutes, stirring now and then and adding a splash or water, white wine or veggie broth if they start to dry out.

Slice a mini baguette and scoop out the insides. I snacked on the "innards," but if you have more self-control than I did, save them for breadcrumbs.

Press-press work. Assemble your panino for grilling. I used Daiya Cheddar cheese chunks, followed by some cooked kale I had on hand, and finally, my roasted red peppers. You can also add any spreads you like [eg, vegan pesto, mayo, or tapenade].

Spray your pannini pan with oil and heat 'er up. I used rosemary-infused oil that I made in my Prepara tabletop oil mister. I'm obsessed with it. [Watch for an upcoming Prepara product review and contest.]

Press, press, press.

Ta-da! So easy but so excellent and infinitely better than take out. I had every intention of eating one half for dinner and taking one half for lunch the next day –– but truth be told. I ended up eating both.

Here are 9 more vegan panini recipes and ideas to inspire you:

1. Tuscan White Bean Spread, Sage and Artichoke Hearts 
2. Avocado-Spinach
3. Hot-n-Crusty Farmers' Market Panini
4. Baked Tofu with Roasted Peppers and Caramelized Onions
5. Chickpea, Beet and Apple Panini
6. Grilled Eggplant Panini
7. Cheesy Vegan Panini
8. Broccoli Rabe and Antipasti Panini [yum!]
9. Vegan Philly Cheese Panini