The Boy's Panini

I’m handing the blog over to the boy today as he’s making his favourite, Panini. Did you know Panini means two sandwiches – one would be a panino. Anyway, over to the boy.

4 panini rolls or ciabatta rols

8 Slices Emmental cheese

8 slices thick cut Wiltshire ham

½ an onion chopped

 A handful mushrooms chopped

Some tomato puree in a tube

1 very ripe tomato

A sprinkle of oregano
1tbsp double cream (optional)

This is great when it’s raining and you’re at home and feeling all safe.

Cut the rolls open. I would have bought ciabatta rolls and put them into our new sandwich maker but they didn’t have any so I’m using Panini rolls and the George Foreman Grill instead.

Open the rolls out so you have two sides on each to adorn with love and artistry. Cut the cheese to fit both sides of each roll. I chose Emmental, but Edam, Gruyere,Jarlsberg etc would also be cool. Overlapping is good. Add some to both sides of the roll. If you have it, spread the cream over the cheese for extra ooze.

Cut up the ham slices so they fit on the bottom slice, on top of the cheese. Layer some mushroom slices and onion pieces on top of the ham on the bottom half. Ideally I’d add another slice of cheese on here, but I’ve run out.

Try to squirt a smooth even squiggle of tomato puree onto the cheese on the top slice.

Slice the tomato and sprinkle the slices with dried oregano and maybe a little black pepper. Tuck in the tomato and squash it down into a sandwich, slowly, tucking anything back in that might need it.

I like to wrap these in cling film to tighten up for half an hour. I’ll give them a light squeeze, pushing anything that is seeping back out, every few minutes.

Heat whatever you’re using. In this case the George Forman Grill as I don’t want it being cut into sandwiches. Get it hot first and put the drip tray in front. It’s always horrifying how much fat pours out! When it’s done, ignore and hope someone else will wash it up. I’m told some of this will actually just be water from the ham and mushrooms but even so.

I think this would be great served with strong flavoured potato crisps like Prawn Cocktail or Worcestershire Sauce, though I seem to have ended up with a small salad of dressed Cos lettuce and avocado .

Before I go, my other top Panini filling. Ham, mozzarella, sun blush tomatoes from the deli and pesto. Spread each side of bread with pesto, then add layers of mozzarella and ham. Stuff chopped sun blush tomatoes in between (Sun dried are a little bit too strong).  Serve with coffee, celebrate the good life.

Or (and I should stop soon), Pastrami, Swiss cheese, thinly sliced pickled gherkins and Dijon mustard in ciabatta. Great with well drained sauerkraut on the side. Pretend you're in New York

Or small beef meatballs with some thickened marinara sauce, with extra garlic spooned over and topped with Provolone cheese and sprinkled with oregano before it goes under the grill. Pretend you have a Sicilain grandma. Great for watching The Sopranos on DVD.

Or mix some grated cheddar with Marscapone to get a gooey mix. Sprinkle in some well drained and chopped jarred jalapeños. Grill, listen to Maria Callas and tune the world out.