Lazy Man’s Panini

Published on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, by James Norton / Edit Post

What’s new? What’s great? What’s weird? Our columnist samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus.

Lazy Man’s Panini

Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom Panini

By: Nestlé
I Paid: $3.49 for a 6-ounce sandwich
(prices may vary by region)

Taste: 3stars

Marketing: 2stars


Stouffer’s Corner Bistro Grilled Chicken Italian Panini

By: Nestlé
I Paid: $3.29 for a 6-ounce sandwich
(prices may vary by region)

Taste: 4stars

Marketing: 2stars

Hot Pockets Bruschetta Chicken
Panini

By: Nestlé
I Paid: $3.09 for a 7.5-ounce sandwich
(prices may vary by region)

Taste: 2stars

Marketing: 2stars

James Norton edits the Upper Midwestern food journal Heavy Table. He's also the coauthor of a book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers. For his Supertaster column, he samples offerings from supermarket aisles and fast-food menus. You can follow him on Twitter and fan him on Facebook. His wife, Becca Dilley, takes the photographs for Supertaster. She specializes in weddings and food photography, and is the coauthor of and photographer for the book on Wisconsin's master cheesemakers.

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POST A COMMENT |16 Comments

COMMENT

  • OMG can you just make this column text? Like most people, I read chowhound at work.

  • http://paninihappy.com/cheddar-apples-horseradish-mustard-panini/

  • The Stouffers and Lean Cuisine Paninis are just fine for work, where in most cases, you will not be breaking out the cast iron to make lunch in the breakroom. The Italian chicken from Stouffers is rather tasty.

  • MariamOttawa, you get the reviews on the video. Click on "Play video" just right of the title.

  • He has my parents microwave!

  • The singular of "panini" is "panino".

  • What next? the analysis of paper versus plastic plates and how they effect the flavor of Domino's Pizza

  • I actually found the Stouffer's eggplant and goat cheese pannini very good- esp for a frozen sandwich.
    At home is obviously much better,but for convenience and if you are too tired to make something it is convenient.
    Not sure if they have the eggplant one in the US,but in Canada it is almost $5 for these sandwiches.
    I did find the cheese on the chicken and bacon really lacking that "real"...+READ

    I actually found the Stouffer's eggplant and goat cheese pannini very good- esp for a frozen sandwich.
    At home is obviously much better,but for convenience and if you are too tired to make something it is convenient.
    Not sure if they have the eggplant one in the US,but in Canada it is almost $5 for these sandwiches.
    I did find the cheese on the chicken and bacon really lacking that "real" taste and seemed more processed to me.
    I think I would only buy the vegetarian stouffer sandwiches as the meat in these is not that "real" more like the processed chicken type.

    But the vegetarian sandwich was great,had real cheese also!

    Would have liked to see a real review instead of just some stars.-COLLAPSE

  • Does James Norton live in Minneapolis? In an earlier clip, he tested eggnog products in the Minneapolis area and now is wearing a Midtown Global Market shirt...

  • I didn't see an improvement in bread crisping with the silver plastic paper as a conductor at all. Tried these on sale once and threw it out. Not my idea of a good premade panini.

  • I had one of the Stouffers once and it was pretty good. I don't routinely eat frozen foods but I like to have some on hand when I' sick or really pressed for time. They really have developed some techniques (ie that silver stuff) for making the bread crisp a bit. Now sure you'd be better off stopping at the local deli but if you're barely capable of getting out of bed, this is the stuff you need,...+READ

    I had one of the Stouffers once and it was pretty good. I don't routinely eat frozen foods but I like to have some on hand when I' sick or really pressed for time. They really have developed some techniques (ie that silver stuff) for making the bread crisp a bit. Now sure you'd be better off stopping at the local deli but if you're barely capable of getting out of bed, this is the stuff you need, along with a few hungry man chicken dinners.-COLLAPSE

  • OK, calm down people. Enough with the outrage and indignant attitude that there are people who buy premade foods, including sandwiches. Exactly what do you think this column is about? You're not going to get reviews about gourmet foods here. The whole point is to review average items the average person can buy at the average grocery store. Please stop acting as if you have never "lowered"...+READ

    OK, calm down people. Enough with the outrage and indignant attitude that there are people who buy premade foods, including sandwiches. Exactly what do you think this column is about? You're not going to get reviews about gourmet foods here. The whole point is to review average items the average person can buy at the average grocery store. Please stop acting as if you have never "lowered" yourself to buy frozen, quick-cook foods before.-COLLAPSE

  • ugh...frozen panini! It is so very easy and quick to make a good panini. The only thing that can change it from ok to good and good to great are the ingredients. The companies are marketing to ppl that take these frozen meals for lunches or dinners at work I suppose. I would hope a person would not make this for themselves at home.

  • There are just some foods that should never be messed with. There is nothing more deliscious then a crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside panini, or grilled cheese, made the proper way.

  • Very lazy and no issue with microwaving bread....which NEVER, I repeat never turns out.

  • You would have to be VERY lazy not to make your own panini. Hint, you don't need a panini press. A cast-iron frying pan and a heavy flat lid (as per many Le Creuset pieces) will do very nicely: weight it down if need be.