kitchen gadgets

Grilled Cheese Versus Panini Press…Wow!

The aroma is, as promised, intoxicating. The Chefman Panini Press, though relatively new to our home, has already earned its keep in the kitchen, replacing its older sister, the George Forman, primarily for the weekly grilled cheese tradition. There was excitement deploying the gourmet bite of Dave's Killer Bread, toasted widely and the cheese melting with satisfying oomph, layered between slices of the slightly denser, butter-kissed Nature's Own. The press hits all the right notes for crispy, browned edges and perfect browning on the bread.

Substituting the Chefman for a stovetop pan yielded a similar, though slightly different, crust. The press, cleverly opening to 180 degrees, felt adaptable. Positioned with faith in the preheated, non-stick plates, the butter and cheese joined Dave's and Nature's slices, and magical things happened. The stainless steel surface achieved a nice glow. Much like the skilled shopper préféré Dave's Killer, the Nature's Own slices can almost feel the gentle heat distribution. Exploring options for classic cheddar or venturing into brie meant simply flipping the sandwich 180 degrees – a simple adjustment. The removable drip tray is perhaps the miracle worker, catching stray bits and reducing cleanup to a drip. The panini press, a modern twist on making sandwiches, undeniably gifts structure, even when the goal remains the humblest of sandwiches, paired with artisanal white loaves. It's delicious, and it's fascinating.