Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Italian Pesto-Veggie Panini


My hubby got me a panini press for our anniversary and valentine's day and I have been obsessed with paninis ever since. I can now make a panini that tastes exactly like the ones they serve in those Italian bistros. This was the first one that I tried out of my most favorite Italian ingredients and its was super yummy! This panini press (the brand is Bella Cucina) is simply awesome and I look forward to trying out a lot many recipes. I already have a dessert panini recipe lined up alongside roasted eggplant panini. Yay!!!



Ingredients:

  1. Focassia bread (I had a herb focassia but any other baguette or ciabatta should also be just as good)
  2. Pesto sauce - 3 tsps per panini
  3. Grape tomatoes - 10 per panini
  4. Fresh mozzarella cheese
  5. Sun dried tomatoes (julienned) - 1 tbsp per panini
  6. Fresh basil leaves - 3 per panini
  7. Kalamata olives - 1 tbsp chopped per panini
  8. Olive oil
  9. Salt
  10. Pepper

Directions:
  1. Slice the focassia all the way through the center and spread the pesto on the cut side of both slices.
  2. Sprinkle salt and pepper to garnish.
  3. Layer one slice with the mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, sun dried tomatoes and basil leaves and top with the other slice.
  4. Pre-heat the panini grill.
  5. Brush the outer sides with olive oil and press using panini grill so that you have enough grill marks.
6. Cook the panini until done and slice into two pieces. Enjoy hot!!!

10 comments:

Unknown said...
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Unknown said...

Looks Yummy. I live in bay area too. Would you consider making it for me. Would rather have a fresh home made one than a restaurant one.

Unknown said...
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FH said...

Love that Panini press, I have smaller one. Looks great Smitha, enjoy the veg delight! :)

Vinitha said...

Wow....I love panini....I like them better than any cold sandwich :) and recipes sounds very yummy....will definitely try, although i dont have a panini press, will work around that...:)

Vinitha said...

where can I find tht widget..:) I tried but in vain...:(

Usha said...

Love paninis and yours look perfect...reminds me I need to get a panini maker :-)

Smita said...

Thanks Asha and Usha:)

Smita said...

Vinitha: The panini press really makes it so easy.....I bought mine for $20 at a sale in macys...such a steal.....

Shikha Bansal said...

Great receipe....I bought the same grill from macy's yesterday , tried the recipe today , loved it..

Thank you for the nice posting..