A Panini Is as Close as a Cast Iron Grill Pan - Tip of the Day

by Monika Bartyzel, Posted Jul 22nd 2009 @ 9:00AM

Those electric panini presses are nice, but why lug out a whole machine for sandwich time when a little cast iron magic can do the trick?

Vegan panini. Photo: foodistablog, Flickr

No matter whether space, budget, or function is a concern, a cast-iron panini press will save the day.

It is, simply, a heavy piece of cast iron that fits into your grill pan to lend your sandwiches the same toasty lines that an electric version creates. Place the top in the grill pan to heat both up, then slip sandwich in between and, well, press it.

While the press is a one-function gadget, the grill comes in handy for all indoor grilling needs. There is an expensive version -- a pair from Le Creuset -- but one can also save a pretty penny with a regular cast iron grill pan and press.

You'll have a wonderfully crisp panini in no time.

Filed Under: Tip of the Day
Tags: cast iron, cast iron panini press, CastIron, CastIronPaniniPress, panini