The Great Panini

My wife is fast becoming a pannini expert.  She got one of these units several months ago.  At first, I said to myself, another piece of unnecessary equipment, but she's been using it and the results are pretty good.
 
Today, she took about 1 lb of slightly frozen chicken breasts and sliced them up very thin.  She marinated them in olive oil, fresh garlic, salt and pepper.  She sauteed sliced onions and fresh sliced mushrooms with parsley and some dry sherry.  She then sauteed the chicken.  Then she put all this on the pannini (we actually got a good loaf of sesame pannini bread at WALMART!  Seriously.  It was very good.  She put some Sargento chipolte cheddar (brand new product and it's pretty good) on and crushed those babies down to about 1/2" in thickness.  They were really good.
 
And, I see that you really do need the pannini press to get that unique riblike exterior texture that really makes it so good.  Just placing a heavy object on top of a loaf of pannini bread doesn't cut it.
 
Several years ago, Emerril had a gentleman on who opened a place in Manhattan, I think on Madison Ave, who started making what was then a new type of sandwich..A pannani.  He also was bringing in a new expensive cured meat called speck..Did any of you happen to see that show?  It was all about pannini's.

Ben, your a lucky man, indeed to have such a talented wife.

What kind of Panini press did she get? I was wondering as I picked one up not too long ago and it indeed makes wonderfull sandwiches. I like using a good crusty sourdough too!

A good panino is a thing of beauty and a tasty treat.  I got a Cuisinart Griddler a couple of years ago, and it does a good job.

I don't know where Emeril went, but 'Ino in NYC is somewhat famous.  I bought their book, and recommend it.

What is "panini bread"?

The heck with The Brickyard.  When I come down there I want to eat a panini at your house for lunch.  Then we'll have a steak at John's for dinner.

Thanks Twin..She reminds me every day!

Seatown - An Emerson Panini Grill..I guess they stopped making tv's and went into the panini grill business.  The thing has no substance to it.  I would have brought a more substantial one, if it was my idea and I had MD's $$.  Of course, I trashed her idea of getting one until I ate one of her sandwiches!  I think she got it at Big Lots.  

MD - If I had your $, I'd have brought a Cuisinart, too! Yes! The panino!  Of course!  The best.  Delicious.  
 
I do not think Ino is the place that Emeril had on the show because this guy was talking all about a dry cured meat called speck and it does nto appear on the Ino menu.

As far as "panini" bread..I got it at WALMART ..I know I know.  Look the bread was terrific.  It was rectangular in shape and loaded with sesame seeds on the top and it was crispy.  The sesame seeds never burned on the grill, but gave a wonderful nutty taste and texture to the top crust of our panini. 

The label on the WALMART bread said "Simple Focaccia" and it was $1.50. 

Joe - You're welcome!  Anytime!  JOPA LIVES