pizza, wrap,panini?

I had the most interesting sandwich while traveling through Venice. Although I am insanely addicted to panini's, I think I may have over indulged, and spent my first month in Rome consuming too many of them. Although, this has lead me to try new and interesting sandwiches. The other day, I went out of my comfort zone and ordered a wrap, which appeared to contain lettuce, tomato and mozeralla. I figured I would play it safe, while ordering something other than a real panini. To my delight, it wasn't a wrap at all. It turned out to be pizza crust, with tomato sauce, lettuce and mozarella, tightly wrapped. I was slightly dissapointed with my selection, because had I known it was just pizza wrapped together, I would have ordered something different. Nevertheless, my tastebuds and stomach were pleased, so I left with no complaints.

all shapes and sizes

When we arrived in Venice in the early morning, I was on a mission to find the nearest cafe that served anything edible. After visiting numerous cafes that were along the roads, I let my sense of smell lead me to a small restaurant that appeared to serve breakfast food, along with salad and sandwiches. As I walked into the foreign cafe, the tiniest glass of white wine, sitting on a nearby table caught my eye. I inched closer to the glass window, which contained the only options for my early lunch. To my surprise everything was tiny. The panini's were no bigger than three inches in diameter, and contained only a slice of meat or cheese in between the tiny circles of bread. They were definitely not the average six inch, thick bread panani's I was used to. But I was desperate, and figured anything would do. They reminded me of the bite size candy bars you get during halloween...only they weren't chocolate! I ordered the first thing I saw, which was the salami sandwich. I felt like a giant as I took a bite out of the sandwich, which was nearly half of my meal. To my surprise, I was quite pleased with my mini panini. The bread was fresh and the salami was flavorful. The advantage of the small panini's is that you can order two different kinds, while still only paying two euros, since each one was only one.

Sticking to Italian Panini's

I never could imagine the day when I was actually sick of seeing, smelling or tasting Italian food. But, when we arrived in Amsterdam for our weekend trip, we avoided every restaurant that advertised anything that had to do with red sauce, pasta or pizza, knowing it would not satisfy our hunger. My eyes immediately widened as I saw the extensive selection of American food with a wide selection of chicken and steak. I had an excellent, juicy all-American cheeseburger with fries. I was completely satisfied with my meal and predicted it to be the common theme throughout the weekend. Surprisingly, the next day, I found myself, along with two other people searching for a cheap and easy "Snack Bar" that offered a panini selection for just two 2 euros. It became obvious that we would not find a lunch that was conveniently cheap, but my watchful eyes spotted a sign for panini's. Without hesitation we proceeded into the "Holland" themed restaurant and ordered a tomato, mozzarella and pesto panini. I might have set my standards too high, because I was thoroughly disappointed with my 5 euro panini. Not only did it take long, but the tasteless tomatoes and rock hard toasted bread did not sit well in my stomach. After this experience, I am now a firm believer that Italy is the only place for panini's.

Panini's make it to the US

I think the reason I have been so fascinated and addicted to panini's lately is because there aren't little cafe bars located on every corner of every street selling panini's in the US. Sadly, the closest thing that can compare would have to be the Subway's that can be found along any highway, or any street in the middle of nowhere. But, within the past 6 years, panini's have made it to the US, making their debut in New York. A Fox News article in 2002, stated that panini's were becoming a lunchtime favorite at deli's and cafes. After a few restaurants and cafes brought in the panini presser, they soon became the talk of the town. Domenic Seminar, an italian native who has been selling panini pressers since the 80's, strongly believes that "panini is the food of the millenium." Unfortunately, I myself, have not seen panini's conveniently available through out Pennsylvania. You never know..maybe I'll have to begin the process and open a panini store along the street in downtown State College...

Information obtained from:

http://www/foxnews.com/story/0,2933,64951,00.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,64951,00.html

Always time for a panini?

As I have come to depend on eating a panini for a quick, cheap and easy meal for lunch...I have made some observations about the odd times panini's are available. I usually find myself going to the small cafe, only known by the sign above the door labeled "Bar". At around noon there is always a wide variety of panini's to choose from. As always, they are fresh, and slightly pressed on the griller to warm the bread. The times that I have been there, it is never busy and there is no wait. However, by about 2:30 in the afternoon, there are only a few, if any, panini's left! It must get busier within the hours of 1:00 and 2:00. In order to keep the panini's fresh and appetizing, they only make a certain amount of sandwich's during the morning. I do find this frustrating at times when I am having a late lunch craving for a panini. Besides being out of panini's, some of the small snack bars even close down during the afternoon. After spending two weeks in Rome, I am starting to become adjusted to this lifestyle, and I have noticed that many small shops and restaurants close down during the early afternoon, until about 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. Numerous people have told me that the break in the afternoon allows the shop owners to go home and spend time with their family. I am not entirely convinced this is the only reason, but I would like to know more about the daily rituals here in Rome. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind if you are feeling hungry at noon…you better jump on the opportunity to stop at a snack bar and grab a panini to go, before it’s too late!

The history to the sandwich

Have you ever thought about who came up with the idea to cram as much meat and vegetables on a piece of bread, and call it a meal? I'm sure you haven't. Fortuately, there is history and meaning behind everything and anything..including paninis. We owe it all to John Mantuga (1728-1792), the fourth Earl of Sandwich for the delicious invention of sandwiches. The legend claims that John was addicted to gambling and spent hours and hours at the table, refusing to get up to eat for meals. Supposedly he would demand his valet to bring him two pieces of toasted bread with pieces of roast beef between them. His fellow gambling mates began to envy his creative snack, so they would just ask for "the same as sandwich"...which established the name, sandwich. Panini is just Italian for sandwich! So the next time you are sitting down enjoying a panini, be sure to remember the gambler, John Mantuga Sandwich.

Information taken from:

http://www.inmamaskitchen.com/FOOD_IS_ART_II/food_history_and_facts/Sandwiches.html

Panini cravings

I am strongly known for my cheeseburger cravings. I have them all the time, where I can't think about anything else but cheeseburgers! Well, I woke up this afternoon with paninis on my mind. It seems I have appropriately shifted my taste buds to accommodate where I am and what is available. I had seen a small snack bar a few minutes away from our apartment in Trestavere so a small group of us ventured in hopes to fulfill our empty bellies. There was a large selection of paninis ranging from chicken and peppers to eggs and meat. The snack bar had an area to sit, but we were unsure if it cost extra to sit, just like it is at a cafe. It is something we will have to figure out next time. Our high expectations of a good sandwich were met, and our stomachs were completely satisfied. It was a great discovery and I am positive that is not the last time the cute man behind the counter will see us!

Paninis make life better

Ever since I was a little girl I have always...I mean always loved food.  I have never been a picky eater, actually I will do quite fine with potato chips as a snack..but I do appreciate good food as well.  Of course I was expecting delicious Italian pasta and scrumptious pizza here in Italy.  But, what really surprised me was the simple, yet always fresh foods that are located everywhere in Rome.  After a long discussion during our first day of class I was starving, and tired so I figured I would stop at the nearest place to get food.  Mike suggested to stop at a bar (cafe), right down the street from our school.  I picked the first thing that I saw in the window, which was a simple tomato, mozzarella and lettuce panini.  I figured anything would fulfill my hunger at this point...but as I took the first bite I was astounded at the delicious mouthful of flavors I was indulging.  To add on the the incredible taste, it was only 2 euros!  After this experience I will no longer ever eat a panini, unless I am of course in Italy.  I plan to study the different kinds of paninis that are all over Rome and Italy and compare the different cafes where the paninis are offered.