Best Pressed Sandwiches Recipes

SPANISH STYLE PRESSED HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan to medium. Build sandwiches of sliced peppers, cheese and ham. Place sammies on grill and press with a foil covered brick or weighted down with a heavy skillet and cook to crust and mark bread and melt cheese, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Cut sandwiches into 3 sections each and serve for a simple starter to any meal.

PRESSED BROCCOLI RABE AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Pour water to a depth of 1 in [2.5 cm] into a medium pot and set over high heat. When the water boils, add a large pinch of salt and then the broccoli rabe and cook, stirring, until bright green and slightly wilted, about 30 seconds. Drain the broccoli rabe in a colander, wipe the pot dry, and return it to high heat. Add 2 Tbsp of the olive oil, the garlic, and the red pepper flakes and stir the garlic into the oil until it's fragrant, just 15 seconds. Immediately add the drained broccoli rabe and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until the broccoli rabe is coated with the garlicky oil and is a bit more softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set the broccoli rabe aside to cool down a bit.
• In a small bowl, combine the olives, capers, vinegar, the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, and a small pinch of salt and stir together. Place the rolls, cut-side up, on a work surface and evenly distribute the olive mixture among the rolls, putting some on both halves of each roll. Divide the mozzarella and broccoli rabe evenly among the rolls, close the rolls, and then tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap. Place something flat and heavy on top of the sandwiches, such as a large cast-iron skillet. Let the sandwiches sit under this weight for at least an hour before eating or putting them in your backpack.

GRILLED CUBAN PORK PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Between pieces of plastic wrap, gently pound pork with flat side of meat mallet until very thin. Place in glass baking dish. In small bowl, mix dressing, lime peel and oregano. Spread over pork; turn pork to coat. Let stand while heating contact grill.
• Heat closed medium-size contact grill for 5 minutes. Position drip tray to catch drippings. Place pork on grill. Close grill; cook 5 to 6 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Meanwhile, place cheese on cut sides of roll bottoms; top with ham, pleating to fit. Spread mustard and pickle relish on cut sides of bun tops. Place grilled pork on ham; place roll tops, relish sides down, on pork. Press down firmly on tops of sandwiches (sandwiches are thick).
• Carefully wipe off grill plates; spray with cooking spray. Place sandwiches on grill. Carefully close grill so tops of rolls don't slip off sandwiches. Gently press top of grill until sandwiches are compressed. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until rolls are toasted and cheese is melted.

PRESSED SALAMI SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Brush cut sides of halved bread loaves with oil from jar of roasted peppers. Dividing evenly, layer bottom bread halves with roasted peppers, salami, cheese, and arugula; top with remaining bread halves.
• Wrap each sandwich tightly with plastic, and press: Lay wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet. Position another baking sheet on top, and weight with heavy canned goods or a large skillet. Let stand for one hour, pressing down occasionally with hands.
• Refrigerate wrapped sandwiches until ready to serve, up to 1 day. To serve, cut into wedges.

PRESSED HAM AND PEAR SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Brush one side of each bread slice with oil; spread mustard on other side. Layer half the cheese on mustard side of 4 bread slices and top with ham, arugula, pear, a sprinkle of pepper, and remaining cheese. Sandwich with remaining bread slices, mustard side down.
• Heat a large skillet over medium. Working in batches if necessary, place sandwiches in skillet and weight with another skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook sandwiches, pressing down firmly with skillet, until bread is golden and cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes per side, flipping once. Serve warm.

PRESSED COPPA SANDWICHES WITH BROCCOLI RABE PESTO

Steps:

• For broccoli rabe pesto:
• Cook broccoli rabe in a large pot of boiling salted water until bright green, about 30 seconds; drain (reserve pot). Transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool. Drain. Squeeze out water; cut into 1" pieces.
• Combine broccoli rabe, garlic, oil, and red pepper flakes in reserved pot. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until broccoli rabe is very soft, 40-50 minutes. Let pesto cool slightly. Mix in Pecorino and honey.
• For assembly:
• Build sandwiches with bread, provolone, coppa, and broccoli rabe pesto. Brush a large skillet with oil; heat over mediumlow heat. Working in batches and brushing skillet with oil as needed, add sandwiches to pan, cover with foil, and place a heavy skillet on top. Cook until bread is toasted and cheese melts, 4-5 minutes per side (you can also use a lightly oiled panini press).
• DO AHEAD: Pesto can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; chill.

PRESSED MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Lightly brush sandwich bread with olive oil; turn slices, oiled sides down. Top half the bread with half the cheese; season with salt and pepper. Spread pesto or tapenade over cheese, then top with peppers and remaining cheese and bread.
• Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Place sandwiches in pan (work in batches, if needed); weight with a heavy skillet. Cook over medium-low heat, pressing down firmly with skillet, until bread is golden and cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Serve warm.

TUNA AND ARTICHOKE COOLER-PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, combine the first four ingredients.
• 2. Fill the baguette with the mixture, scatter the basil leaves on top.
• 3. Close the baguette and wrap it tightly in waxed paper, then in aluminum foil.
• 4. Place the sandwich at the bottom of the cooler so the weight of the other contents compresses the sandwich and allows the juices to soak into the bread.

PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Pulse basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until combined. With machine running, add 1/2 cup oil in a slow, steady stream. Transfer to a small airtight container, and top with remaining oil. Pesto can be refrigerated overnight.
• Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. (If you are using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 to 4 seconds.) Grill bell pepper, turning with tongs, until blackened all over. Place in a bag, close bag, and steam 15 minutes. Peel pepper, and discard skin.
• Lightly brush both sides of eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until golden brown and soft, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Pull out most of the doughy center of bread, and reserve for another use (such as breadcrumbs). Brush inside of each loaf with oil. Spread pesto over bottom half of each loaf. Top one loaf bottom with grilled vegetables and half the mozzarella; top remaining loaf bottom with prosciutto and remaining mozzarella. Sandwich top and bottom of each loaf, and press firmly. Tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic, allowing air to release before sealing. Wrap each in parchment paper, and tie with kitchen string. Place sandwiches in refrigerator, and weigh down with a heavy object (such as a Dutch oven). Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight). Slice, and serve.

MINI THANKSGIVING PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Generously season the turkey breast with salt and pepper. On a sheet pan fitted with a rack arrange the sage and thyme and put the turkey breast on top of the herbs. Put in the oven and pour the chicken broth into the sheet pan. Roast until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Remove the breast from the oven to a cutting board and cover with foil. Allow to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
• For the Cranberry Mayo:
• In a small bowl mix together the cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, hot sauce and chives. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Lightly butter 1 side of a slice of bread and put the buttered side down, on a sheet pan lined with waxed paper. Spread a little of the Cranberry Mayo onto the bread and top with some of the sliced turkey. Top with a tablespoon of stuffing and spread a little bit more of the Cranberry Mayo on top of the stuffing. Top with half a slice of cheese. Lightly butter another slice of bread and put the buttered side up, on top of the sandwich. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Working in batches, put the sandwiches into a preheated panini press and cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly browned and crispy, about 4 minutes.
• Stove Top Instructions: Working in batches, put the sandwiches in a large skillet over medium heat and cook until bread is browned and crispy and the cheese is melted, about 3 to 4 minutes per side,
• Arrange the sandwiches on a serving platter and serve.

MOZZARELLA AND PEPPER COOLER-PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• 1. In a medium bowl, combine the first four ingredients (including the bocconcini's or mozzarella's marinade).
• 2. Fill the baguette with the mixture.
• 3. Close the baguette and wrap it tightly in waxed paper, then in aluminum foil.
• 4. Place the sandwich at the bottom of the cooler so the weight of the other contents compresses the sandwich and allows the juices to soak into the bread.

PRESSED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• I think simple recipes are the best way to start out the meal. Melted cheese, in any form, is something that everyone loves. I find these sandwiches only make people want to eat more afterwards!
• In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the pressed garlic. Stir to blend.
• Put 4 slices of the bread on a flat surface. Dry any moisture off the mozzarella cheese and put 4 slices on 4 pieces of bread. Sprinkle with aleppo pepper and drizzle with the garlic and oil mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, to taste. "Flake" the thyme off the stems and onto the cheese. Do the same with the rosemary, but more sparingly.
• Cover the cheese with the remaining 4 slices of bread and cut each sandwich in half and in half again, to make 4 individual pieces. Arrange them in a single layer on a small baking sheet or large plate and cover them with baking sheet or plate to weigh them down. Refrigerate the sandwiches overnight. This will make them flatter and better integrate the flavors.
• The next day, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. When the olive oil begins to smoke lightly, add the sandwiches and cook them on 1 side until brown. Turn and cook until brown on the other side. Cook in batches, if necessary. Transfer to a serving platter and season with salt. Top with the pickled scallions and serve immediately.
• The acidity of the vinegar and the oniony "bite" of the scallion make this a brightening element for my cheese sandwiches. I avoid salt and pepper to keep the focus on the acidity of the scallion.
• Put the scallions on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, slice them into thin rounds from the white part all the way through the green part.
• Add the scallions to a small bowl with the red wine vinegar and the olive oil. Toss to combine and set aside for 1 to 2 hours to allow the vinegar to work its magic. The scallions can be covered and refrigerated overnight, if desired.

CHICKEN-BACON PRESSED PICNIC SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine raspberry preserves and horseradish mustard in a bowl and whisk or stir until evenly blended. Reserve a little sauce for serving.
• Slice loaf of bread in half. Slather the bottom half generously with remaining sauce. Layer the chicken, bacon, cheese (cut slices to fit as needed), and lettuce over the sauce layer, then top with remaining bread half.
• Wrap sandwich in plastic wrap and place on a baking sheet. Place a second baking sheet on top and add books (or something that has some weight to it) to press the sandwich. Transfer to the refrigerator until flavors have melded, 8 hours to overnight.
• When ready to serve, unwrap sandwich and slice into 4 pieces. Serve with additional sauce.

PRESSED SEA URCHIN SANDWICHES WITH SOY-GINGER BUTTER

Steps:

• In a small skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over low heat. Add ginger and shallot and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes; do not brown. Let cool. Place remaining butter in a small bowl. Add ginger-shallot mixture and soy sauce and mix until very smooth.
• Cut bread into 4 pieces, then slice each piece in half horizontally. Thickly spread top and bottom surfaces of each sandwich with about 1 tablespoon soy-ginger butter. Divide uni among 4 sandwich bottoms; with a butter knife gently spread it over bread.
• Heat a griddle, sandwich press or heavy skillet until medium-hot. Close sandwiches and lightly brush top and bottom crusts with olive oil. Cook sandwich 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown. If using a griddle or sauté pan, press or weigh sandwich down as it cooks. Cut each sandwich in half on the diagonal. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve.

QUICK PRESSED PORK SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Halve bread lengthwise. With your fingers, pull out some of the bread from both cut sides, leaving about a 1/4-inch shell all around. Spread mustard on each cut side.
• Layer one of the bread halves with pickle slices, half the cheese, and all the pork. Scatter remaining cheese over pork, and top with other bread half. Press with your hands to flatten sandwich.
• Place sandwich on a baking sheet. Place another baking sheet on top; weight with a heavy ovenproof skillet. Bake until cheese has melted and bread is crisp, about 15 minutes. Cut into 8 slices, and serve with more pickles, if desired.

PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Pulse basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until combined. With machine running, add 1/2 cup oil in a slow, steady stream. Transfer to a small airtight container, and top with remaining oil. Pesto can be refrigerated overnight. Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. (If you are using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 to 4 seconds.) Grill bell pepper, turning with tongs, until blackened all over. Place in a bag, close bag, and steam 15 minutes. Peel pepper, and discard skin. Lightly brush both sides of eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until golden brown and soft, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Pull out most of the doughy center of bread, and reserve for another use (such as breadcrumbs). Brush inside of each loaf with oil. Spread pesto over bottom half of each loaf. Top one loaf bottom with grilled vegetables and half the mozzarella; top remaining loaf bottom with prosciutto and remaining mozzarella. Sandwich top and bottom of each loaf, and press firmly. Tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic, allowing air to release before sealing. Wrap each in parchment paper, and tie with kitchen string. Place sandwiches in refrigerator, and weigh down with a heavy object (such as a Dutch oven). Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight). Slice, and serve.

PRESSED ITALIAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Remove peppers from jar. Place in bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• To prepare the sandwiches, cut your ciabatta rolls in half and butter each piece. This will help prevent moisture from getting into the bread. Place a layer of red pepper on bottom slice of bread.
• Top with a generous layer of cold meats (4 or 5 layers).
• Pat your Bocconcini slices dry with a piece of paper towel. Top the cold meat with a layer of the bocconcini slices. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the Bocconcini slices.
• Top with a generous layer of arugula. Top with the top slice of ciabatta.
• Wrap each sandwich tightly with plastic wrap and place on a platter. When all the sandwiches are prepared, place the platter in the refrigerator. Place a heavy skillet on top of sandwiches to apply weight. Refrigerate at least 6 hours or ideally, overnight. When ready to serve, remove from plastic wrap.
• For a cute presentation or picnic you can trim the sides and wrap each in parchment paper tied with string.