Meatball Panini Food

MINIATURE MEATBALL PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• In a food processor or blender, process the ends of the loaf of bread to fine breadcrumbs, about 1/2 cup. Set the remaining bread aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, meat, egg, cheeses, parsley, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and breadcrumbs. Mix with your hands to combine well.
• Roll the meat mixture into 1-inch balls and reserve on a baking sheet. Lay 2 slices of bread on work surface. Butter one side of each piece. Place 4 meatballs on the buttered surface of the slice of bread. Top with a second slice of bread, buttered side down, and press firmly to adhere. Use a serrated knife to cut the crusts from the bread. Bake the crusts separately for a "chef's treat." Repeat with the remaining meatballs and bread. This process can be done assembly-line style, lining up slices of buttered bread and assembling a number at a time. Prepare 2 baking sheets at a time if possible.
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat, if necessary, until all sandwiches are cooked. Remove from the pan and cool. Serve slightly warm.

QUICK AND YUMMY MEATBALL PANINI'S

Steps:

• Add olive oil, garlic and Italian seasoning to a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Add marinara sauce and meatballs to a medium sauce pan and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• When the sauce is hot and the meatballs are heated all the way through turn off the heat and remove meatballs from the sauce.
• Remove the olive oil from the heat and over a small bowl, pour the oil mixture through a small metal strainer.
• Using the back of a metal spoon, scrape the bottom of the strainer, pushing the garlic "paste" into the bowl.
• Brush a thin layer of the flavored oil onto the cut sides of the bread.
• Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over one side of the bread.
• Cut each meatball in half and place them in an even layer over the marinara sauce.
• Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over the meatballs.
• Place the other slice of bread on top of the cheese covered meatballs.
• Heat an indoor grill pan over medium high heat.
• Place the sandwiches on the grill and cover with a bacon press or other heavy object and cook just until nice grill marks appear.
• Turn the sandwiches over and place the bacon press on top and cook just long enough to see grill marks.
• Serve.

MEATBALL SUB PANINI

Steps:

• Pre-heat panini grill to medium-high.
• Slice meatballs into 1/4" rounds. Warm meatballs and marinara sauce in the microwave.
• Butter 1 side of each slice of bread, lay butter-side down on your work surface.
• On one slice of bread, layer ingredients in the following order: 1oz cheese, marinara sauce, meatball slices, more marinara sauce, remaining cheese, top piece of bread, with buttered sides facing out.
• Place assembled sandwich on the hot grill, and close, pressing down for about a minute. Continue cooking for a few minutes, until golden brown.

EASY MEATBALL PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat Broiler.
• Combine meatballs and pizza sauce in a large saucepan.
• Cover and cook over medium low heat for 10 minutes or til heated through, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, cut a thin slice from the top of each roll, hollow out roll leaving 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick shell, Discard bread from rolls or save for another use.
• Place hollowed out rolls and roll tops, cut sides up, on baking sheet.
• Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 1 to 2 minutes or till lightly toasted.
• Remove roll tops from the baking sheet.
• Spoon meatballs and sauce into toasted rolls.
• Top with cheese.
• Broil about 1 minute more or till cheese is melted.
• To serve, place basil or spinach leaves on top of cheese and replace roll tops.