Parma proscuitto, asiago, or aged provolone cheese, red onion, and roasted red pepper, with a bit of olive oil on the bread(Ciabatta) before cooking.

Then there's always the Cuban panini.

Sliced roast pork, thinly sliced deli ham, pickle slices, and mustard,(thinly sliced onion, or swiss cheese slice optional, but not authentic) with both sides of the bread buttered before putting in the grill.

I haven't tried it, but I saw a recipe for a Chicken Salad pannini in Taste of Home's Cooking for Two. It won the contest they were having. Just a simple chicken salad with apples and walnuts - and then grilled. It looked really scrumptious.

my new favorite is a desert one, semi sweet chocolate (chopped, shaved, chips) spread on buttered texas toast or thick sliced pugliese.
you could add on lots of things like sliced banannas, or
peanut butter. I like mine just chocolate, yummy

Found the recipe and a pic:

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CHICKEN SALAD PANINI

Grilled indoors, this delightful sandwich can be enjoyed any time of year. "The honey mustard dressing gives the chicken plenty of pizzazz, and the apples and pecans lend a lively crunch," notes Lisa Huff of Birmingham, Alabama.

1/4 cup mayonnaise
1-1/2 tsp. honey
3/4 tsp. snipped fresh dill
3/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
Dash salt
Dash pepper
1 cup cubed cooked chicken breast
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped peeled apple
1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
6 slices white bread
4 tsp. butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, combine the chicken, cheese, apple and pecans; add dressing and toss to coat.
Spread half of the chicken salad on two slices of bread. Top each with another slice of bread, remaining chicken salad and remaining bread. Spread butter on both sides of sandwiches. Cook on a panini maker or indoor grill until bread is toasted and cheese is melted. Yield: 2 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: 1 sandwich (prepared with reduced-fat mayonnaise and reduced-fat cheese) equals 730 calories, 42 g fat (14 g saturated fat), 116 mg cholesterol, 1,155 mg sodium, 52 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 39 g protein.

They all sound good. I really like the really skinny sandwiches a lot but the chicken salad might be a winner. I'll try your suggestions. Thanks!

I once had one for brunch that was made with sliced strawberries and bananas and brie cheese.

I don't have a panini press, but I made this delicious sandwich on a stovetop cast iron grill with another cast iron skillet to press the top using parmesan-peppercorn mayonnaise, provolone cheese, turkey breast, fresh spinach leaves, and roasted red bell pepper strips.

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Teresa, that sounds/looks awesome. Do you make the parm-pepper mayo? If so, can you share the recipe for it?

Linda

Linda,
I just added some grated parm to some mayo, stirred it up, added some freshly ground coarse black pepper, stirred it, tasted it and liked the way it tasted. I tried googling a recipe and only came up with Parm-peppercorn salad dressing. I think I got the idea from all places - a fast food chain, maybe even McD's? Try a teaspoon of grated parm to a couple of TB of mayo and see how you like that ratio, add more parm if you want that salty parmesan jolt.

Teresa

Linda, here's one I can vouch for. I know better than to make it because I'll eat the whole thing.

Parmesan Peppercorn Dressing

2 Tablespoons finely chopped shallots
2 Tablespoons vinegar
1-1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup sour cream
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 cup cream
3/4 teaspoon worcestershire
1-1/2 teaspoon finely ground pepper
2- 1/2 teaspoons cracked peppercorns
1/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese

Mix and refrigerate.

I love grilled veggies, creamy cheese (creamy goat cheese or a very creamy feta that can be spread), and tapenade sandwiches pressed like that.

Once on a business trip I had basically what was a BLT, but grilled with swiss cheese and it was to die for. They also did a turkey with pesto and brie that was excellent.

I make this panini for my husband and he just loves it! I take focaccia bread and slice it in half to make 2 slices. This bread is usually about 2" thick so it slices in half nicely to make a thin sandwich. Spread basil pesto on the inside of both pieces. Top one slice with mozarella or provolone, then 3 or 4 slices of very thinly sliced cantalope. Top that with 2 or 3 slices of proscuitto, followed by a couple of tomatoe slices and more cheese. I also use the 2 skillet method to grill my sandwiches. Its really good!

Thanks!