Preposterously Paradisiacal Panini

This was the first panini I made on my grill/press and dayam, sam! That’s an impressive little machine! If you don’t have a panini press, you can use a brick well-wrapped in foil and a skillet, but it’s not nearly as much fun. ;o)

• Ready In: 10 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Standard Ingredients

• 1  loaf  ciabatta
• 4  tablespoons  fresh basil pesto (I highly recommend Kittencal's Perfect Pesto)
• 4  slices  smoked provolone cheese
• 1  bunch arugula
• 12  slices  black forest ham (uncured, if possible)
•  olive oil

• Optional Ingredients

• 2  roma tomatoes (thinly sliced) (optional)
• 3  tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat panini grill.
2. Cut a thin slice from the top of the loaf of ciabatta to make the top flat. Cut loaf into four sections. Then cut each section in half. You should end up with eight “slices” of bread for four sandwiches.
3. Lightly baste the OUTSIDE of each slice of bread with olive oil.
4. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto on the inside of 4 of the slices and mayonnaise, if using, on the inside of the other 4.
5. Layer the following on top of each pesto layer: Several arugula leaves, 1 slice provolone, thin slices of tomato if using, and 3 slices of black forest ham. Cover with the other slice of bread and place on panini grill/press. Close press and grill for 2-4 minutes or until browned to your liking.