Several years ago, Oprah Winfrey endorsed panini presses as one of her “favorite things,” and the hot sandwich world would never be the same. Now comes Kathy Strahs and her all-encompassing The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook (Harvard Common Press, $19.95). Beginning with the basics, Strahs helps the reader navigate through the finer technicalities of the panini press, assess the pros and cons of various grill amenities, and learn how to clean stubborn grill plates. After a brief analysis of ingredients—such as The Bakery Loaf vs. Sliced Sandwich Bread—Strahs lays out the steps to make a “perfect panini.” More than 200 recipes, including a Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese Panini and Spicy Elvis Panini with sriracha, are sorted into thematic chapters. Besides sandwiches, Strahs’s recipes include unorthodox treats you can make using a panini press, such as Mini Yellow Layer Cakes, Spatchcocked Game Hen, and even Homemade Ice Cream Cones.

$13.10 from Amazon.

Katie Aberbach

Always hungry for a good story, editor Katie Aberbach brings an extensive journalism background to the culture team. Formerly a food writer and editor for the Washington Post Express, Katie works to ensure that culture’s print coverage is timely, accurate, and – of course – appetizing.