Nadya's Dessert Panini

Who says panini need to be savory? Sandwich some sliced banana between bread spread with creamy nutella, sweetened with a drizzle of honey - and see how wonderfully sweet panini can be! Thank you to Nadya for sharing this recipe.

Nadya's Dessert Panini 
Two slices of bread
One chopped banana
Nutella
Honey
Cinnamon sugar

Spread nutella on the bread. Add the chopped bananas.  Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar if desired.  Put it in the panini press for approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown.

*Please do not use peanut butter in the panini press to be considerate of those who have allergies! Thanks!

Nadya's Breakfast Panino

We love panini. And we love breakfast. So I think you know what's coming...yes, why not a breakfast panino?? I know what you're thinking - that's a genius idea! And you're absolutely correct. We want to thank Nadya Kim for her gorgeous photo and creative recipe giving new life to the fried eggs we all know and love from the omelette station. You can customize it anyway you like, jazz it up with cheese and other panino fixin's, and grill it to perfection.

Nadya's Breakfast Panino 
1 fried egg from the egg station at the Ratty with mushrooms, onions, peppers, and tomatoes
Two slices of bread
One slice of cheese
Ham or other sandwich meat
Ketchup

Go to the egg station at the Ratty and order one fried egg with the desired condiments (I usually ask for all the veggies). Once you pick up you fried egg, get two slices of bread. Spread ketchup on the slices of bread Add the egg, slice(s) of cheese, and ham (or other sandwich meat), between the bread slices Put it in the panini press for approximately 2 minutes or until golden brown.

Jennifer's Wafflewich Panini

What do you get when you cross a waffle with a panini? A wafflewich panini! (or waffini...or paniffle...?)

Special thanks to Jennifer Pan for sending us this ingenious recipe. According to Jennifer, "you can do a lot more with waffle paninis" - we're thinking roast beef and swiss; grilled chicken and roasted red peppers; chicken fingers, lettuce, and honey mustard sauce...the wafflewich panini possibilities are endless.

Jennifer's Wafflewich Panini
1 waffle
1 slice ham
1 slice turkey
1-2 slices cheese
lettuce

Make a waffle, cut in half. The two halves are now your "bread." If you're really hungry you can just make 2 separate waffles.

Pile one of your waffle halves with everything you'd like in your panini. I usually go for ham, turkey, cheese and lettuce. Drizzle the other waffle half with maple syrup. (If you don't want syrup in your panini you can skip this step, it's still good.)

Put the 2 waffle halves together so that the syrup side is on the inside of the sandwich. Panini press it.

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese

Spinach artichoke dip is delicious. It's probably not the spinach and artichoke's responsibility. That's right ooey gooey melty Cheese, we're looking at you. But we have to admit that Cheese's intrinsic deliciousness is buoyed by the humble presence of Spinach and Artichoke. Bet you didn't know that spinach artichoke grilled cheese could reveal such deep insights into life, did you?

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese
2 slices rustic bread
artichoke hearts
baby spinach
1 slice swiss cheese
1 slice mozzarella cheese
nonstick vegetable oil spray

Sandwich the artichoke hearts, baby spinach, and two cheeses between the bread. Spray the panini press with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Place the sandwich on the grill and grill for 2-5 minutes, until golden brown and crispy and the cheese is just melted.

Sunny Side Up Grilled Cheese

What's better than an egg over easy? An egg over easy with cheese! What's better than that? An egg over easy with cheese stuffed into a toasty piece of grilled Seven Stars bread. Mmmmm.

Sunny Side Up Grilled Cheese

1 slice whole wheat Seven Stars bread

1 egg, over light, with cheese

1. Order one egg, over light, with cheese from the omelette bar. Remember to smile and say thank you.

2. Panini press a slice of Seven Stars whole wheat bread in the panini maker until golden (2-3 minutes).

3. Create a pocket in the bread by slicing horizontally into the bread with a knife. When the omelette is ready, carefully stuff it into the pocket and enjoy!

Spinach Pie "Wrap" Quesadilla

The "secret" ingredient? Raisins! Yes, they're good for you and yes, they're usually found in granola, but if you're up for something a little different (and dare we say delicious) give this one a try -- the sweetness of dried grapes goes fabulously with the savoriness of melted provolone and hot spinach in a lightly toasted wrap.

Spinach Pie "Wrap" Quesadilla.

1 whole-wheat flour tortilla

lots of baby spinach (about 2 generous "grabs" with the tongs)

1 slice provolone cheese

1/4 cup shredded cheese

3 Tbsp raisins

1. Place provolone cheese on tortilla. Pile on the spinach, shredded cheese, and raisins.

2. Fold carefully into a "wrap" -- it will be rather puffy but the spinach will wilt down.

3. Place in a pre-heated panini press and let it do its thing for 5 min, or until golden brown grill marks appear.

4. Slice in half and enjoy.

Spiced Toast

A toasty accompaniment to salad or soup.

Spiced Toast

2 pieces of multi-grain bread

2 Tbsp olive oil

pinch of the following:

black pepper

garlic powder

onion powder

red pepper flakes

ground oregano

salt

1 Tbsp chopped scallions

1. Mix oil with spices in a small bowl. Spread on both sides of bread.

2. Grill in panini press for 2-3 minutes, garnish with fresh scallions, and enjoy while it is toasty.

Tuna Melt, Inspired by Guillaume Riesen

Thanks Guillaume for your awesome recipe! We tried it out and it was delicious. As Guillaume says, "I use the pre-made grilled cheese sandwiches from the vegetarian line. Pull one open, spread on a layer of tuna salad from the grill line, some tomato slices, and grill it on the panini maker until warmed through (the grilled cheeses are already a bit crunchy, so it doesn't take much). If you want salad, it seems important to add it on last - pull the sandwich open yet again and stick some in there. Otherwise it will tend to wilt on the grill. A dab of mayonnaise is optional."

Our version adds some cheese and omits the tomato, for no reason other than forgetfulness.

Tuna Melt, Inspired by Guillaume Reisen

1 whole wheat grilled cheese

1/2 cup tuna salad

1 slice cheddar cheese

lettuce leaves to serve it with

1. Pull open the grilled cheese.

2. Spread on a generous layer of tuna salad and add a slice of cheese.

3. Put the sandwich back together and press on the panini press for 1 minute.

4. Cut on a diagonal and serve with lettuce.

Egg, Cheese, and Bacon on French Toast

This makes for a delicious weekend brunch. You can also have it for breakfast, although you'd miss out on the salad and sliced cheddar. Try instead the Cranberry Passionfruit Mocktail (minus the ice cream) as a refreshing accompaniment.

Egg, Cheese, and Bacon on French Toast

1 slice french toast

2 eggs over easy, with cheese

1 slice cheddar cheese

2-3 strips of bacon

1. Slice french toast in half along edge to make two thin slices. Order 2 eggs over easy, with cheese, from the omelette station. Cut the fried eggs in half so that each half has a yolk, and set aside.

2. Place slice of cheddar, a few strips of bacon (break in half if needed), and one of the egg halves on one of the "half slices" of french toast, and top with the other.

3. Press in a panini press until nice golden grill marks appear and cheese is melted.

4. Top with other half of egg. Enjoy with the Refreshing Spinach Cucumber Salad.

Refreshing Spinach Cucumber Salad

baby spinach

cucumber slices

feta cheese

edamame (green soybeans)

splash of balsamic

Combine salad ingredients and splash some balsamic over the top. Fruity, light, and refreshing, this salad is yummy when eaten with something hot off the panini press.

Grilled Garlic Focaccia Breadsticks

Garlicky, buttery, and so easy to make!

Grilled Garlic Focaccia Breadsticks

2-3 focaccia breadsticks

3-4 butter pats (toast station)

1-2 Tbsp garlic powder

dash of salt and pepper

1. Mix butter, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small cup.

2. Spread garlic butter on both sides of each breadstick.

3. Press in panini press until golden brown and crispy.

4. Top on a salad of your choice. We recommend:

Baby Spinach Salad Tossed in Balsamic Vinaigrette

Layer baby spinach, cucumbers, and purple onion rings on a plate. Toss lightly in balsamic vinaigrette and enjoy with something crunchy and buttery.

Peanut Butter Apple Toast

An intriguing combination of hot and toasty with tart and crispy; creamy and nutty with savory and smooth.

Peanut Butter Apple Toast

1 slice multi grain bread

1 Tbsp sunflower seeds

1 Tbsp all natural peanut butter

1 slice apple

1/4 slice cheddar cheese

1. Grill the bread on a panini press until golden brown marks appear.

2. Spread with peanut butter, top with rest of ingredients.

Josh's Beef and Onion Panini

Another gorgeous panini from our dear friend Josh. This one uses the brilliant pairing of fresh and fried onion rings to accentuate the savory-ness of the beef.

A note about lettuce:

Josh: "No lettuce."

The rest of us: "Why not?"

Josh: "Because it's not that kind of sandwich."

Moral of the story: If you want a sandwich with lettuce, look elsewhere. The star here is the meat, so please don't skimp on the protein; you might offend the sandwich.

Josh's Beef and Onion Panini

2 slices wheat bread

3-5 slices hot pastrami

1 slice roast beef

2 fried onion rings

2 fresh onion rings

2 slices American cheese

mustard (optional)

1. Assemble the sandwich.

2. Press in panini press until golden brown grill marks appear (3-5 minutes).

3. Slice in half and enjoy with a generous plateful of salad tossed lightly in balsamic vinegar, and/or a tall glass of water.*

*these are optional, but according to Josh the sandwich packs a hearty punch of saltiness that will likely make you crave something along the lines of mixed greens/water (lettuce on the side, however, not inside the sandwich).

Mashed Potato Scallion Pancakes

Inspired by pan-fried scallion pancakes from East Asian cuisine. Creamy potatoes and melted cheese contrast nicely with the crisp tortilla fresh out of a panini press.

Mashed Potato Scallion Pancakes

1 whole wheat tortilla

1/2 cup mashed potatoes (1 spoonful)

2 slices cheddar cheese

1/4 cup scallions, plus extra for garnish

3 onion rings

1. Spread mashed potatoes on one half of whole wheat tortilla. Layer cheese and onion rings on top, sprinkle with scallions.

2. Panini press for 3-5 minutes and garnish with fresh scallions.

Roast Turkey Cranberry Panini on Rye

Roast turkey and cranberry go together like milk and cereal, pb and j, bagels and cream cheese, yogurt and honey, milk and cookies...

Roast Turkey Cranberry Panini on Rye

2 slices dark rye bread

6-8 baby spinach leaves

2 slices roasted turkey (bistro line)

1 large slice tomato

1 slice swiss cheese

1 tsp yellow mustard

1 Tbsp cranberry sauce

1. Spread cranberry sauce on one slice and mustard on the other slice.

2. Layer spinach, turkey, tomato, and swiss cheese on cranberry sauce.

3. Panini press for 4-6 minutes. Slice in half and enjoy.

Roasted Sweet Potato Quesadilla

Inspired by Al Forno's sweet potato appetizer pizza. While nowhere near as gourmet as the pizza version, this crisp, cheesy, onion-y sweet potato quesadilla is nonetheless delicious in all its Ratty-fied glory.

Roasted Sweet Potato Quesadilla

1 flour tortilla

1 baked sweet potato (1/2 cup mashed)

1/4 cup scallions

3-4 red onion rings

2 slices swiss cheese

1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

2 Tbsp caramelized onions

1. Spread mashed baked sweet potato on one half of tortilla with a fork.

2. Layer swiss cheese, mozzarella, scallions, caramelized onions, and red onion rings on other half.

3. Fold in half and panini press for 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown grill marks appear.

Savory Spinach Panini

The savory spinach seems to lack salt on its own, but when it is paired with salty olive tapenade, tangy roasted red bell peppers, and melty cheddar cheese, it comes to life.

Savory Spinach Panini

1 whole wheat bun

1/2 cup savory spinach

3 slices cheddar cheese

1 Tbsp diced white onions

1 slice tomato

3 pieces roasted red bell pepper

2 Tbsp olive tapenade

1. Arrange fillings on bun in the following order: bottom bun, cheese slice, diced onions, tomato slice, olive tapenade, roasted red bell pepper, cheese slice, savory spinach, cheese slice, top bun.

2. Place in panini grill (spray with Pam first) and press for 5-7 minutes or until desired grill marks are achieved.

Josh's Fish Panini

Crispy, warm, and stuffed with melted cheese, this panini by Josh Leung is both easy to make and delicious.

Josh's Fish Panini

2 slices whole wheat bread

1 fish filet

2 slices American cheese (or cheese of your choice)

1/2 cup spinach leaves

1. Assemble sandwich.

2. Press on the panini press for 2 minutes, or until bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.

3. Cut in half.

Hot Pastrami Swiss Cheese Panini on Rye

Delicately crispy, with nutty rye, savory pastrami, and melty swiss cheese in every bite. I thought having veggies in the sandwich would compromise the panini's texture, but you can definitely enjoy them on the side.

Hot Pastrami Swiss Cheese Panini on Rye

2 slices light rye bread

3-4 slices pastrami

2 slices swiss cheese

1/2 cup green beans (on the side)

1. Layer one slice of swiss cheese, pastrami, and the other slice of swiss cheese on a slice of rye.

2. Place the other slice of rye on top and press in the panini press for 5-7 minutes or until nice brown char marks appear.

3. Enjoy with steamed green beans (the Ratty calls them "French beans" I think) on the side.

Josh's Ham and Turkey Panini

This gorgeous panini by Josh Leung features savory ham and turkey layered neatly with lettuce, tomato, and American cheese, grilled to perfection!

Josh's Ham and Turkey Panini
2 slices whole wheat bread
3 slices American cheese
2 slices tomato
lettuce
sliced turkey
sliced ham

1. Assemble sandwich.
2. Grill on the panini until bread is golden and crispy.
3. Slice in half and devour.

Grilled Cheese

The butter and cheese on toasted Seven Stars Bread is delicious.

Grilled Cheese

2 slices Seven Stars wheat bread

1 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup shredded cheese

1 lettuce leaf

1 tomato wedge

1. Spread inside faces of both slices of bread with butter.

2. Sandwich cheese in between, and grill on the panini press for 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and bread is browned.

3. Serve with lettuce and tomato.