Tomato, Mozzarella & Pesto Panini

A delicious recipe from Ina Garten's cookbook, Barefoot Contessa at Home. If you don't have a panini press, that's okay, just place in a skillet with a heavy weight on top(foil covered brick, or heavy cast iron skillet, etc.) Enjoy!

• Ready In: 18 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 6 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2  large beefsteak tomatoes (or other large tomatoes)
• 1 (16 ounce)  ball fresh mozzarella cheese
• 12  slices  whole wheat bread, sliced 1/2-inch thick (or whole grain or white)
• 1  cup pesto sauce (homemade or storebought)
•  kosher salt (optional)
•  butter, unsalted, room temperature

Directions

1. Preheat a panini grill machine or a heavy skillet.
2. Core the tomatoes and slice tomatoes and mozzarella 1/4" thick.
3. Place the bread slices on a cutting board(or work surface). Spread each slice evenly with pesto. Place a layer of mozzarella(about 2 slices) on half of the bread and cover with a layer of tomato. Sprinkle the tomato with a little kosher salt.
4. Place the remaining slices of bread, pesto side down, on top. Spread the top and bottom of each sandwich with sotened butter.
5. Grill the sandwiches in batches on the panini grill for 2-3 minutes, until the mozzarella starts to ooze out. If using a skillet, place a weight on top(I usually use another heavy cast iron skillet, or use a foil coverd brick, or other flat, heavy object. Cook 2-3 minutes, turn and cook other side 1-3 minutes.).
6. Cut the sandwiches in half and serve warm. Enjoy!
7. Note:
8. This is also excellent with a slice of roasted red bell pepper in it!