5 Healthy Alternatives to the Traditional Panini Sandwich

In Italy, panino is the Italian word for a sandwich made from bread other than sliced bread (such as ciabatta, rosetta, and baguette).  First they cut the bread horizontally, and then filled it with deli ingredients such as delicious Italian meats and cheeses or perhaps some other foods. And finally the panino is pressed by a warming grill and served warm.

A toasted sandwich made from sliced bread is not called panino by Italians. They call it toast, and they usually fill the sandwich with ham and a few slices of cheese before heating it in some type of a sandwich press. According to Wikipedia, one popular version of panino in Central Italy is filled with porchetta, slices of pork roasted with garlic, salt, rosemary, and sage.

In the United Kingdom as well as across North America, people have adopted the term panini to mean any type of pressed, toasted sandwich. Kitchen appliance manufacturers hopped on the bandwagon and began creating gadgets called everything from panini presses to toasted sandwich makers.

The Panini Maker Alternative

For years I have pondered investing in a panini maker for my kitchen. Because I tend to burn things on the stove, it seemed like the perfect solution to making everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to Italian-inspired panini creations.

Despite the fact that the price of panini and toasted sandwich makers has come way down in recent years, I wanted an appliance that would do more than just toast sandwiches. Then it hit me – I could just make use of my George Foreman grill! Here is why it works:

• NO STICK SURFACE – Even if I cooked hamburgers or chicken in my Foreman grill the night before, I can still enjoy a breakfast panini.
• HEATS EVENLY – This means no more worrying about the middle of the bread toasting faster or slower than the outside edges around the crust.
• LARGE COOKING SPACE – The 144 square inches means I am not limited to cooking one sandwich at a time.

This appliance is so easy to use, that even my teenage sons are able to cook on it without the risks that come with cooking on top of the stove.

Healthier Panini Wrap Recipes

The only problem with using my Foreman grill as a panini sandwich press was that it started to pile extra onto my daily carb intake. I found that I can use low-calorie, whole grain tortilla bread for sandwiches and get the same great taste without the guilt or the high carbs. Here are my favorite recipes:

1. GYRO WRAP – Heat some pre-formed meatballs and slice them up. Spread onto tortilla with baby spinach leaves, feta cheese, and some cucumber slices.
   
   
2. TURKEY REUBEN – Place some low-fat Swiss cheese, a few slices of roasted turkey breast on your wrap and then top with a heaping of sauerkraut and a drizzle of Thousand Island dressing.
   
   
3. SANTA FE CHICKEN – Dice chicken into small chunks and place in the tortilla with taco seasoning, slices of red onion, fresh cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, and a few jalapeno slices.
   
   
4. PHILLY CHEESE – Slice beef into very thin strips and place on the wrap with provolone cheese, green peppers, sliced onions, and mushrooms.
   
   
5. OMELET WRAP – Scramble up an egg and place on the center of your wrap. Then add anything you would want in an omelet – bacon, sausage, spinach, mushroom, onion, tomato, or whatever else you like!

After adding all of your ingredients to the wrap, roll it up so that nothing comes out of the bottom end. Place in the pre-heated grill and press lightly for two or three minutes. Do not press too hard or you will find yourself cleaning up a horrible mess – take it from me!

My George Foreman Grill of Choice

There are a lot of Foreman grills out there for purchase. I like this one from Amazon, and more than eighty 5-star reviews agree with me. As they state: This grill has made cooking a snap for our family. It’s a super versatile appliance. It is a nice way to cook your meals. And especially this one – I use it every day! 

Click the icon above to get your own George Foreman Nonstick Family-Size Grill from Amazon. If you are a Prime member, you can also enjoy both a generous discount and free shipping. And if you already have this grill I’d love to hear what you think in the comments section!