Chicken-Pizzaiola Panini: A panini is a sandwich made with Italian bread, usually served warmed by grilling or toasting. The function of the panini grill is to heat food to an appropriate internal temperature with desirable external characteristics (i.e. melted cheese, crisp finish, grill marks).
A panini press or grill is a contact grill for heating sandwiches, meat products, vegetables, and specialty menu items, nearly always with electric elements, comprising a heated bottom plate that is fixed, and a heated top plate that closes towards the bottom plate and comes in contact with the food. The function of the panini grill is to heat food to an appropriate internal temperature with desirable external characteristics (i.e. melted cheese, crisp finish, grill marks).
However, in many English-speaking countries, a panini is a grilled sandwich made from many types of bread. Examples of bread types used for modern panini are baguette, ciabatta, focaccia, and Michetti. The bread is cut horizontally and filled with deli ingredients such as cheese, ham, mortadella, salami, or other food, and often served warm after having been pressed by a warming grill.
Although the first U.S. reference to panini dates to 1956, and a precursor appeared in a 16th-century Italian cookbook, the sandwiches became trendy in Milanese bars in the 1970s and 1980s. Trendy U.S. restaurants began selling panini, with distinctive variations appearing in various cities.[1]
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Chicken-Pizzaiola Panini
Equipment
- two-sided tabletop grill
- medium saucepan
Ingredients
Chicken-Pizzaiola Panini
- 1 teaspoon bread dip seasoning Parmesan blend
- 4 chicken cutlets about 1 lb boneless
- Cooking spray
- 8 teaspoons sun-dried tomato spread
- 4 flatbreads Deli flavored folding
- 8 slices pepperoni Deli sandwich-style
- 4 provolone cheese 1-oz slices
Green Tea Spiced Pears
- 6 Bartlett pears
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup golden raisins
- 1/2 cup green tea Deli green tea with ginger and honey
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste ginger spice paste
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
Chicken-Pizzaiola Panini
- Preheat two-sided tabletop grill. Sprinkle seasoning over chicken, then coat with spray. Place chicken on the grill and close lid; grill 2–3 minutes and until chicken is 165°F.
- Spread 2 teaspoons tomato spread over the inside of each flatbread; top with chicken, 2 slices pepperoni, and 1 slice cheese. Close flatbreads.
- Coat sandwiches with spray and place on grill, pressing lid down gently; grill 2–3 minutes or until crisp and golden. Serve.
Prep for Green Tea Spiced Pears
- Peel pears and remove core; cut pears into small cubes.
Green Tea Spiced Pears
- Combine remaining ingredients in medium saucepan on medium heat and bring to a simmer; cook 5–6 minutes or until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly.
- Stir in the pears and cornstarch; cook and stir 4–5 more minutes or until tender and sauce has thickened. Serve warm. (Makes 6 servings.)
Video
Notes
Complete your meal with sweet potato puffs, fresh salad blend, and cupcakes for dessert.
If pears are very firm, add the pears during step one for a longer cook time.
The panini recipe can be made in a nonstick sauté pan but cook time will be longer. Cooking Sequence
Prepare pears (15 minutes)
Prepare chicken; serve (15 minutes)