The Best of the Best Panini Press Cookbook by Kathy Strahs

100 Surefire Recipes for Making Panini--and Many Other Things--on Your Panini Press or Other Countertop Grill

The only use I have made of my panini press is to make chicken sandwiches at home when my husband brings home rotisserie chicken. I wanted a few more ideas and this book definitely provided them. I am not sure that I would make ALL of the recipes but did find it interesting to read through them and also learn that the press can be used for more than just making sandwiches. What else can you make? Burgers, chicken, roast garlic, vegetables, fruits and other things. I can see that it might come in handy should my propane gas jar empty when I want to cook something so will keep a few of the ideas for such a day.
The book has over 100 recipes and each chapter includes some ideas for sandwiches as well as “other things”. The chapters begin with the basics and move on to what might go inside for the carnivore and vegetarian and include a few sweets, too. I make my own jams and now would like to try a few with cheese or pizza toppings as some of the combinations sound delicious.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Harvard Common Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4 Stars

This book contained some really great panini recipes! There was a nice balance of simple recipes and more complex ones, as well as a good balance in a variety of flavors. I will definitely be trying some of these recipes! I thought the book was well done and appreciated the introductory information about the fundamentals of building a panini sandwich. The photos were lovely, but I would have liked to see more.

If you own a panini press or other type of indoor grill, this book could inspire you to try new ways of using your appliance. Not only is the book filled with yummy-sounding panini recipes, but the author also gives non-panini recipes in almost every section, showing you how to use your panini press or indoor grill for more than just food pressed between two slices of bread.

The book starts with general information about the different types of panini presses or indoor grills. Yes, if you have a George Foreman grill, you can definitely use that as a panini press, she states. She details the types of ingredients that work well in a panini press and suggests that you keep yourself open to possibilities.

Further chapters are broken down first by the type of protein like poultry, pork, beef, lamb, and seafood. She goes on to have a section just on fruits, vegetables, and beans. A whole chapter is dedicated to grilled cheese, of course! She ends the book with first a breakfast and brunch section and then a dessert chapter.

The book has only a few pictures in each chapter. I would have liked to have seen more photos of the recipes. The panini press can make amazingly gorgeous, ooey-gooey delicious food. Why not tempt the reader or future buyer with lots of pictures of scrumptious-looking food?

Some recipes have auxiliary recipes, like slaws and spreads, to go with them. These are included just after or within the pertinent recipe. However, many of these would be fantastic to use as you branch out in your own panini making. I think there should have been a Basic Accompaniment section that listed some of these mini recipes. Put simple ones like Caramelized Onions and Chipotle Mayonnaise in the chapter itself and add an index list of titles of more complex ones, like Cranberry Coleslaw or Pickled Daikon and Carrot. That way, as the panini cook plays around with panini concepts, she wouldn’t have to go thumbing through the whole book to find, say, Basil-Garlic Mayonnaise or Crispy Fried Onions.

Here are some recipe titles to tempt you: Turkey and Wild Mushroom Panini; Serrano Ham, Manchego, and Membrillo Panini; Chimichurri Skirt Steak Panini; Pan Bagnat Panini; Caprese Panini; Honey Walnut-Crusted Aged Cheddar Panini; Blueberry Ricotta Grilled Cheese Panini; and Fluffernutter Panini. Here are some recipes that are beyond the panini but can be done with it: Spatchcocked Game Hen, Grilled Pork Ban Mi, Grilled Shrimp Tostadas, Grilled Herbed Vegetables, Grilled Cheese Panzanella Salad, and Grilled Angel Food Cake with Lemon Curd.

Despite its flaws, this book is a wonderful addition to the cook’s library if she or he is looking to expand how they use their panini press.

You will learn which panini press to buy - one with or w/o a thermostat, drip pan or height adjustment. You are given instructions on grilling and cleaning too!
The author encourages the use of thicker breads instead of sandwich loaves, deli sliced meat or leftovers, and sliced cheese as the shredded cheese is messier and will not melt as easily as sliced cheese does.
The first recipe is for a Chicken, Brie, Fig and Arugula sandwich which looks moist and delicious! The Chicken Bacon Melt Panini with Avocado Spread has chicken cutlets, bacon, plum tomato slices and Asiago cheese in it, and you are shown how to cook the chicken, then add the other ingredients and press them.
The author uses turkey, baguettes, Brie cheese and whole cranberry sauce to create an after-holiday feast! You can even make no-flip chicken cheese quesadillas with tortillas, chicken, chiles and cheese!
There is a luscious sounding recipe for Antipasto Panini that contains salami, mozzarella, prosciutto and artichokes on a ciabatta roll. There are beef recipes too - such as Hawaiian Flank Steak Teriyaki Panini, in which the beef is marinated and topped with Teriyaki Mayonnaise!
Enjoy using your Panini Press and impressing your friends and taste buds with these delicious meals

Probably an excellent gift for a young adult moving away from home, or for anyone who has just acquired a panini press. The book offers a variety of recipes that wouldn't ordinarily come to mind, as well as easy to follow step by step instructions on to create a perfect panini.

There's a handy subsection on machine maintenance and how to get the very best out of it, and above all the book features food photography so the would be chef has an idea of what to aim for.

Liked this book a lot.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Great book! Includes basics and advanced recipes about panini making.
You will learn so much from this book! How to and what to do or not do.
I loved the fact that the book allows you advance from simple basic recipes to more complicated.
Books written as such - will make you professional chef!