Don’t have a panini press? All you need is a grill pan, a brick and some foil. How to make a panini sandwich without a panini press.
This past Sunday I made one of those old-fashioned pot roast dinners. A nice big roast snuggled into a Dutch oven surrounded by lots of potatoes, carrots, onions and celery and slow cooked in the oven until tender.
When I was growing up, this was our every Sunday meal. My mom would pop this in the oven, we’d head off to church and return home to wonderful aromas filling the house.
A few weeks ago, I won a bottle of Chipolte Raspberry Sauce from Dave The Master over at Year on the Grill. Thank you Dave! This is the first time I’ve ever tried this sauce and it is delicious. If you can find it at your local store, grab a bottle. I noticed Costco offers a giant size So with this sauce, here’s what I did with the leftover roast beef.
First of all, I don’t own a Panini press, but I do own a grill pan and a brick. HUH?
I saw this on Rachael Ray one day. Take a brick and wrap it in heavy-duty foil and use it for the press. That darn Rachel.
I used Panera Bread Whole Grain
- Slice and caramelize some onion slices
- Shred some left over roast beef
Panera Whole Grain Bread - Sliced Provolone Cheese
Butter each slice of bread on one side only. On the non-buttered side of each slice, spread on a bit of the Raspberry Chipolte Sauce, about the amount you would use if you were spreading jelly or jam. Top with roast beef and onions. Top with the remaining slice of bread and place butter side down on a sizzling grill pan. Place the high-tech panini press on top of the sandwiches and sizzle until browned with nice grill marks, just a couple of minutes… Flip sandwiches over and repeat.
I love the flavor of this sauce and this panini was absolutely delicious!
And look! My homemade panini press stores much easier than the store-bought version. 
If your kitchen is anything like mine, stuffed to the gill with gadgets, you’ll appreciate this. Plus clean-up was a breeze, I just tossed the aluminum foil into the recycle and rewrapped with fresh and it’s ready to go for next use.
Roast Beef Panini Sandwich…It’s What’s For Dinner
On this day..
glad you used the sauce… it is terrific isnt it… try just as a dip with cream cheese, you will love it
cheers
Thanks again! Yes, will do the cream cheese thing for Thanksgiving day.
Once in a while Rachael comes up with a winner!
Lea Ann,
The roast beef panini looks great and I love the panini press!
Yup that has my name written all over it I swear! I love a good toasted panini with griddle marks!
As always, thanks for stopping by NQN
Yum! I love sandwiches and did invest in a pannini grill and we love it! My sister uses the brick method and it works great!
Thanks for stopping by. I think for now, I’ll keep that brick. So far, Panini Press is not on the list to Santa.
I LOVE your panini press idea.
:)
The panini filling sounds super delicious!
Thanks Donna!
Lea Ann
LOL… love the brick idea! Your panini sounds so good… I shouldn’t have read it before eating… I’m starving now…
Thanks for stopping by Linda
You don’t even want to know how many gadgets I have!
Love the panini, totally delish.
Natashya, I have a 2nd storage area in my basement for all of my gadgets.
The panini is a great idea! The chipolte sauce is simply amazing on beef. Love your panini press. Congrats on winning such great loot!
As always, thanks for stopping by Katherine
I’ve been using the brick for awhile; so much cheaper than buying a press I would use one in a blue moon; and storage is simple too – the garage!
I have that large bottle of sauce, it’s a real favorite but typically for chicken. This sounds fabulous; can’t wait to try it.
Thanks for stopping by Barb. Glad to hear it is good in Chicken too, couldn’t quite picture that.
My mom used to make the Sunday pot roast as well and my favorite part of that was the roast beef sandwiches the next day. LOVE THEM! Oh, and I’ve been thinking about getting a panini press but will scratch that for the convertible model. Love this post!
Montana Vic
P.S. are you going to blog about the stuffed squash?
I wonder if that was a “Kansas thing”. Do you think it would also Whirleypop some corn??? Just in case, that Whirleypopper is on my Amazon wish list.
Your panini press also makes a great home defense device.
Directions: Apply to intruder’s head. Repeat.
LOL, probably the kitchen isn’t the best place for it then, I’ll move it next to my bed. Then when I’m making Panini for guests I’ll have to announce “be right back, the panini press is next to my bed”
Love the brick and this sounds completely droolworthy.
Love your panini press. Mine is just a pot weighed down, so yours is better! Sounds like a delicious combo!
Mine used to be a pot, I guess I’ve graduated to high tech.
Fabulous panini! All gooey and crunchy at the same time.
Exactly Barbara! It really is a good combination. Thanks for stopping by
What a perfect panini–such a great combination of ingredients!
Thanks Deb and thanks for stopping by.
Wow! The pannini and the stuffed squash look deliicous! Hey, I am totally impressed about the brick. That was a really creative solution. Nice!
Thanks Velva!!! Now if I can just learn to take good pictures.
Rachael to the rescue! I may not love her recipes, but you have to admit the girl does know how to work with what she’s got. This sandwich looks great! For some reason, putting any sandwich in panini form just makes it taste better. At least in my opinion.
I agree Joanne, I’ve not been crazy about too many of her recipes, but do enjoy watching her cook and her ideas.
Hehe I love your DIY Panini Press! What a great idea!
Thanks NQN and as always, thanks for stopping by
Ha this is how I did it in my cafe, no room at my Inn either…until they came up with lids for those grill pans, but you still have to weight it down right… I have been wanting nothing but sandwiches and soup, I guess I am fattening up for winter, LOL!
Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth
Pingback: Homemade Hashbrown Potatoes…Take Three | Highlands Ranch Foodie