Pesto Caprese Panini
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 4 Servings
Ingredients
  • 8 large slices Tuscan bread or any crusty bread
  • One 12 oz package of pre-sliced fresh mozzarella
  • ½ cup fresh cherry tomatoes sliced in halves
  • ¼ cup fresh basil
  • ½ cup store-bought or homemade pesto
  • Extra virgin olive oil for grill pan and for drizzling on panini
  • kosher salt
  • fresh ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Spread one side of each slice of bread with generous amount of pesto.
  2. Heat a large grill pan with a generous amount of olive oil.
  3. Place four slices of bread (pesto-side up) in hot grill pan.
  4. While in pan, layer each of four slices of bread in pan with equal amounts of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.
  5. Drizzle the top of each open-faced sandwich with olive oil and balsamic.
  6. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top the sandwiches with remaining four slices of bread.
  7. Once mozzarella begins to melt (after approx. 3 minutes), carefully flip Panini.
  8. If bread does not have grill marks, allow it to grill longer before flipping.
  9. Grill second side of Panini for about 3 more minutes or until bread shows grill marks.
  10. Transfer to plate. Slice in half and serve immediately.
Recipe by Chef Times Two at https://www.cheftimestwo.com/pesto-caprese-panini/