Whether you call them sangwiches, sammies, sandwiches or sliders – just don’t call me late to the table when you’re serving Italian Panini with Salami, Fontina, Arugula & Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo!
This mouthwatering panini was inspired by a train trip we took in Italy many years ago. One sunny day we boarded the EuroStar…or EuroRail…it was one of the Euros, en route to Calabria from Rome. We were set to visit Guardia Piemontese, the land of my family, for a day of discovery. While traveling south, we made a few stops. During these layovers, while riders entered and exited the train, it was not unusual for townsfolk to board and sell their specialty food items.
We took the bait. Hook, line and sinker.
One older gent shuffled aboard with a bag full of homemade sandwiches. Seven to be exact. I remember because we bought every last one. These sandwiches were probably the best investment we made all week. And not because we were hungry. But because they were that incredible. D’you want to know what they were made of? Ready?
Bread and salami.
That’s it. The bread – perfectly crusty while still soft enough to soak up the bit of oil rendered from the sliced and spiced rounds of salami. Goodness, I dream about this sandwich to this day. And so does Dom.
As much as I would have loved to duplicate that exact sandwich today, I wasn’t sure that a few slices of salami on an Italian roll was enough. However, what these panini have in common with our beloved sammies is they’re filled with very few but very fine ingredients.
That’s the thing I love about Italian cooking. You don’t have to go crazy with ingredients to have a spectacular meal. As long as the components are flavorful and at their peak of freshness – we’re in business.
This is all about construction. Layering up the good stuff then pressing with your favorite panini maker; a brick; or not at all… This is just as good unpressed. (See that – versatility.)
Start with six mini Kaiser rolls and a good smear of homemade sun-dried tomato mayo.
Next, layer a thin slice of tomato then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Next, add the meat.
We used sopressata and large and small salami, but feel free to use whatever your favorite cured Italian cold cuts are.
Sprinkle with shaved fontina and add a couple leaves of spicy arugula.
Smear sun-dried tomato mayo on the top half.
Press in the panini maker for a minute or so at 375 degrees…
…until crunchy and golden and the fontina melty and mouth-watering.
Nothing left to do but enjoy yourself an Italian sangwich!
A few more goodies worth checking out:
Don’t forget to check out Ciao Chow Bambina on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook!
Buon Appetito!
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Italian Slider Panini with Salami, Fontina, Arugula & Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo
- Category: Comfort Food
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
Whether you call them sangwiches, sammies, sandwiches or sliders – just don’t call me late to the table when you’re serving Italian Panini with Salami, Fontina, Arugula & Sun-Dried Tomato Mayo!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup (jarred) sliced sun-dried tomatoes
- 6 mini kaiser rolls, sliced for sandwiches
- 1 large tomato cut into 6 thin slices
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 lb. assorted cured Italian cold cuts, we used salami
- 1 1/2 cups shredded fontina cheese
- 12 – 18 leaves of arungula
- Spray cooking oil
Instructions
- In a small bowl combine mayo with sun-dried tomatoes.
- Smear mayo on bottom roll and build your slider starting with the tomato, salt and pepper, cold cuts, fontina, arugula, top roll (also) smeared with mayo.
- Rest on a 375 degree panini maker that’s been sprayed with cooking oil for 1 minute or so.
- Remove when it’s golden and crunchy.
- Serve.
Ciao!
Annie, why do you do this to me?! I’m so hungry now! LOL! Seriously, this panini looks mouthwateringly good! I love the idea of the sundried tomato mayo! How yum! I’d love one of these for dinner right now please!!
I’d love one right about now, too! 😉 Thanks so much, Haylie!!
How did I ever miss these Annie?! You are speaking my love language. Can’t beat an Italian panini sandwich. Loving that mayo!
Glad you found it now, my friend!! 🙂
Annie, this panini is perfection! You’re so right about simplicity and quality ingredients. That truly is the secret to good eating. And the Italians have good eating nailed! I love the sun dried tomato mayo. It’s crazy how a simple flavored mayo can make the whole sandwich amazing!
Gosh, it doesn’t take a lot to make something a little extra special, does it? Thanks, friend!
Now that’s my kind of train food! I love that locals could come on board to sell their wares! And a thank you from me to that gent for inspiring you to share these sandwiches with us! Thank you too for the clear layering instructions. Time to bust out the panini grill!
Is there anything better than that? I think not! Thanks, friend!
I can practically taste these sandwiches already! They look wonderful–maybe not identical to the sandwiches on that train but delicious in their own right! Have a great weekend, Annie!
‘Delicious in their own right!’ You betcha!! Thanks, friend!
Oh my! How did I miss this one!? Gril… I can put some serious hurtin’ on a panini – especially one this incredible! Of course my problem would be not to eat all the salami (Genoa is my fav) before it gets into the sandwich 😉
I hear you on the salami! That and the sun-dried tomato were a real challenge to keep from eating! Thanks, friend!
I just adore all of your Italy travel stories, Annie! You always make me feel like I was there too! I totally want to ride that train and have some of those sandwiches. I could also make your Italian panini and transport myself to Italy!. Have a great weekend, friend!
I love how food can lock in special moments in time…that’s some powerful stuff! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! Enjoy the panini!
Hello!! I’m so glad I stumbled upon your blog today – these pictures are beautiful and totally drool-worthy. I never thought to panini press a kaiser roll!!
Hi Dani, Thanks so much for stopping by and for your kind words! I appreciate that! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Paninis are one of my favorite things ever.. but I get stuck on the same ingredients all the time. The Sun-Dried Tomatoes are a perfect accompaniment to this sandwich..! It makes me laugh when I do that… buy something because I’m not hangry, but want it so bad I’ll nom on it anyway! Time to make some paninis, Annie! Thank you for this and your inspiration my dear! 😀
It’s so easy to fall into habits even with our food…we get stuck on our favorite flavors and forget that anything else exists. So we must be reminded to change it up every now and again! I have to admit, the sun-dried tomato mayo is prettttty delish! Thanks, hon! 🙂
Wow, now that Is the type of sandwich dreams are made of! Simple, elegant, insanely delicious! I love this panini, Annie! I showed Boy, who admires your blog as well, and he lovingly asked, “Dinner- right?!” Lol. Gotta pick me up some Italian cured meats, but yes! This will be happening over here soon! Pinned! Cheers, my dear! Xo
That is so sweet! It’ll be a quick and simple dinner for you and Boy at the end of a busy N to the C kinda day! Thanks, friend! xo
This looks so perfect, Annie! I am totally drooling :). Pinned!
Thank you, dear! Enjoy! 🙂
Wow! These This Italian Panini with Salami look fabulous, Annie. Love the addition arugula + sun-dried tomato + mayo. Super AWESOME.
Thanks, Anu! Nothin’ like a good sandwich! 🙂
The most important train ride of my life! AND…the sandwiches were not bad either. Thanks for the great memory!!
Love you,
Dad
Here! Here! So glad we could take that ride with You and Mom. Love you!
Oh my, I would love to have one of these sensational sammies for lunch. I remember those stops when we visited Italy on our honeymoon and am kicking myself for not buying any of the specialty food items. You really can’t beat all those fresh and simple ingredients. So delicious!
Oh my….a honeymoon in Italy! I love it! Thanks, friend!
just made panini yesterday and was thinking to make some again today, too! These sliders are super cute!
Can’t resist the buttery crunch of a panini! 🙂
What a gorgeous stack you’ve got here, Annie! That might be a perfect ‘equipment’ for working out. Jast few reps and sets for your neck, and then you can gobble up some of this bad guys:)
Hahaha! I like the way you think, Ben! No guilt! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Wow does this look good! My stomach is growling just looking at these beautiful sandwiches! I love the salami and arugula on here. What a perfect lunch!
Thanks so much, Gayle! 🙂
Yum! These are my kind of sliders. And that sun dried tomato mayo looks delicious!
We could munch on these all day! Thanks, friend! 🙂
This looks awesome!
Thanks, friend! Hope school is going well! 🙂
Those tomatoes…wow. And it’s true that the sandwich’s marvel is all in the construction! I cannot BELIEVE how incredible this looks. I want to spend about a week in your house eating dinner!
Oh yes, those tomatoes were so sweet! You are welcome always, my dear! 🙂