While it seems like everyone else on Planet Earth has been raving about the Wii or iPhone they got for Christmas this year, my favorite new technological wonder has to be the panini press that my sister Lindsey got me.

As someone who despises cold sandwiches with a passion, it’s a speedy way to make a tasty toasted sandwich that’s decidedly more gourmet.

And when Will raved that my inaugural Italian panini was “the best panini he’s probably ever had,” that high praise makes me all the more excited to invent new, even better varieties. So take that, Panera!

For my Italian panini, I spread basil pesto on crusty ciabatta bread (which I will definitely have the bakery peeps slice for me next time—that was some serious work for my string bean arms and ill-equipped knives) and added a slice of Italian salami, provolone cheese, Roma tomatoes, baby spinach drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and Italian seasoning. Then about three minutes later, it was all yummy and melty and delicious—basically, the perfect light lunch.