How to make deli-style paninis at home

There’s a sandwich and then there’s a Panini, a mouth-watering delight of crisp, toasted bread, filled with hot, flavoursome goodness – which can all be done in a matter of minutes using a Panini press, Panini maker or Panini grill. From the classic melted cheese and tomato, to a more substantial snack of hot steak and stilton, a sandwich press – like the Breville sandwich press – can tickle your taste buds with quick delicious food in just a matter of minutes. Bon appetite!

1) Classic Croque Monsieur

Ingredients:
White Bread
Butter
Dijon mustard
Cheese
Ham
Nutmeg  

Method:
–  Heat the Panini press according to the manufacturer’s instructions
–  Lay the bread onto a chopping board and thinly spread butter onto one side of each slice
–  Turn the bread over and thinly spread the unbuttered sides of two of the slices with mustard
–  Top each slice with a generous sprinkling of grated cheese
–  Top each slice with some ham, trimming and arranging it to fit the shape of the bread where necessary
–  Sprinkle with the remaining cheese so that the ham is layered between two layers of cheese
–  Add nutmeg and pepper and finish with the remaining bread, buttered side up
–  Put the sandwiches in the press, pull the lid down and cook until brown and crisp, and the cheese is melted 

2) Turkey, Avocado and Cranberry Panini

Ingredients:
Focaccia
Cranberry sauce
Turkey
Mozzarella cheese
Avocado
Salt and pepper  

Method:
–  Heat the Panini press according to the manufacturer’s instructions
–  Cut the focaccia in half horizontally and spread the cranberry sauce over each of the bottom halves
–  Arrange half the turkey over the relish and top with a few slices of mozzarella
–  Repeat with the remaining turkey and mozzarella, finishing with the avocado slices
–  Season with salt and pepper, and add the top halves of the focaccia
–  Put the sandwiches in the press, pull the top down and cook until lightly brown and the cheese is beginning to melt

3) Hot Chocolate Panini

Ingredients:
Chocolate brioche
Chocolate
Egg
Milk
Icing Sugar  

Method:
–  Heat the Panini press according to the manufacturer’s instructions
–  Put the bread on a chopping board and arrange the squares of chocolate over two of the slices
–  Lightly whisk the egg with the milk and add icing sugar
–  Transfer to a wide shallow plate
–  Dip the sandwiches one at a time in the egg mixture, turning once to completely coat both sides
–  Put the sandwiches in the press, pull the top down and cook until dark golden crisp  

4) Hot Steak and Stilton

Ingredients:
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Rump steaks
Red onion
Ciabatta rolls
English mustard
Salt and pepper
Stilton cheese  

Method:
–  Whisk the olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl
–  Trim the steaks of fat and gristle and put on a plate
–  Cover with half the olive oil and vinegar mixture, and spread to coat the meat all over on both sides
–  Add the onion slices to the remaining oil and vinegar mixture in the bowl and stir well to coat
–  Leave to marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes
–  Heat the Panini press according to the manufacturer’s instructions
–  Add the steaks and onions to the Panini press, pull the top down and cook to however you require your steak
–  Remove the onions once tender and slightly charred
–  Remove the steaks once cooked and put onto a plate
–  Carefully wipe the Panini press clean with damp kitchen paper then reheat
–  Split the rolls in half and divide the onions between the bottom halves of the rolls, top with the steaks, spread with some mustard and season with salt and pepper
–  Sprinkle over the stilton cheese and cover with the top half of the roll
–  Put the sandwiches on the press, pull the top down and cook until the rolls are browned and the stilton slightly melted 

5) Fresh Crab with Tartare Mayonnaise

Ingredients:
Lemon-dill mayonnaise
Capers
Gherkin
Salt and pepper
Crabmeat
Ciabatta

Method:
–  Put the mayonnaise, capers and gherkin in a bowl and mix together
–  Season with salt and pepper
–  Add the crab mix and gently mix in
–  Heat the Panini press according to the manufacturer’s instructions
–  Put the bread on the chopping board and spoon the crab mixture onto two of the slices
–  Top with the remaining bread slices
–  Put the sandwiches on the press, pull down and cook until the bread is slightly browned and crisp