The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook

November 18, 2013
Kathy Strahs left the marketing world in 2008 to pursue cooking, resulting in paninihappy.com, among other endeavors. Here, she offers over 200 panini-related recipes to create the definitive source on the subject. Opening with sage advice on the various types of panini presses and prep recommendations (shredded or hand-sliced cheese will give you the best results), Strahs promptly rolls up her sleeves and fires up her panini press. The recipes are organized by primary ingredient with chapters on poultry, beef and lamb, vegetables and, yes, there's even an entire chapter dedicated to variations of grilled cheese. Strahs does a terrific job of keeping things simple. Rather than overloading the equation with multiple ingredients, she lets the sandwich speak for itself. Readers also learn how to get more mileage out of their panini presses by using them as grills for a spatchcocked game hen, a rib-eye steak, and even DIY ice cream cones. The majority of her recipes are spot-on and fans of grilled sandwiches might have just found their new Bible.

December 1, 2013

Strahs, who writes the popular blog Panini Happy (paninihappy.com), is on a mission to discover every possible use for the panini press. After explaining how to select, operate, and clean countertop grilling appliances, she shares cooking tips gleaned from years of trial and error (e.g., fresh greens are less likely to wilt in the middle of a sandwich). Like Anthony Tripodi's The Everything Panini Press Cookbook, Strahs's debut includes far more than sandwiches. Her more unusual recipes include homemade ice cream cones, peanut butter sandwich cookies, and mini frittatas ("baked" on the grill in ramekins). VERDICT This comprehensive book rivals some of the best indoor grilling titles. Highly recommended.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2013
It is startling to realize that a somewhat obscure specialty-kitchen appliancethe panini presshas gained such popularity among American cooks. Then again, as blogger and first-time author Strahs points out, it's the closest thing to an indoor grill and well suited (depending on its features) to turn out a brined turkey thigh as well as a turkey Rachel panini (think California Reuben with turkey and coleslaw as the mainstays). Those unfamiliar with the press and its relatives (the George Foreman grill, among others) will need to pore over the first chapter, covering such basics as appliance features and functions, ingredients, tools, and how-to-use recommendations. Dividing her 205 recipes by protein categories, she borrows from almost every cuisine to fashion paninis (and other grilled foodstuffs) that accommodate a wide variety of kids' and adults' tastes. A chatty introduction to each recipe, along with gracious acknowledgments to inspirational chefs, gives this collection a personal warmth.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)