Step 1.  In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup warm (like bath water) water, sugar and yeast.  Cover the bowl and allow to sit until frothy with small bubbles, about 10 minutes.  If the yeast isn't frothy then the yeast is dead and you'll need to start over with fresh yeast.

Step 2.  In a large bowl, mix together remaining dry ingredients.  Sift them through a sifter or sieve.

Step 3.  Mix together the yeast mixture, remaining 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons water and 3 tablespoons olive oil.  Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well until a wet dough forms.

Step 4.  Knead the dough for 3 minutes until it’s well combined.  Don’t over knead.

Step 5.  Divide the dough in half and form it into 2 tube shapes.  The dough loaves should be about 2 1/2 x 7 inches.  Place the loaves onto a greased cookie sheet.    

Step 6.  Preheat oven for 2-3 minutes until temperature reaches 100-110 degrees F.  Put the dough in the warm oven to rise for 1 hour.  At the end of the hour, the loaves should have risen to about 3 1/2 x 8 inches.

Step 7.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 8.  Brush the top of the loaves with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil.  Bake for 15 minutes and then take the bread out of the oven and brush with olive oil again.  Bake for another 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reads between 200-210 degrees F.  Put the thermometer all the way into the side of the loaf to get the most accurate reading.

Step 9.  Allow to cool for 1/2 hour before cutting each loaf in half horizontally.

Step 10.  Brush outside of the loaves with olive oil.

Step 11.  Layer the panini fillings inside the loaves.  First 1/2 of the cheese, then 1/2 of the sopressata, then all of the ham, 1/2 of the sopressata, all of the tomato slices and remaining cheese slices.

Step 12.  Cook in panini press or in a skillet on the stove for about 10 minutes at Low heat, until cheese is melted and the meat is warmed through.  If using the stove, then it should be about 3-5 minutes per side.  But keep checking in to make sure the bread isn't burning.

Step 13.  Cut each sandwich into thirds and serve immediately.