Turkey Panini With Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto

Submitted by Stephanie Z.

"If you have a panini maker, preheat it and use according to directions in place of the following instructions."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 17
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• Sun Dried Tomato Pesto

• 1 teaspoon canola oil
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• 0.5 (8 1/2 ounce) can sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained and olive oil reserved
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon capers
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 small shallot
• 1⁄4 cup basil leaves (packed)
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons olive oil (reserved from)
• sun-dried tomato
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• Panini

• 1 (10 ounce) ciabatta, loaf (or sliced sourdough bread)
• 4 ounces gouda cheese, grated
• 8 slices thinly cut turkey breast
• 8 large spinach leaves
• 1⁄2 cup kalamata olive, sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

directions

1. Pesto:

2. Toss pine nuts with canola oil. Add to saucepan, and toast for 5 minutes over moderate heat.
3. Add toasted pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes,.
4. balsamic vinegar, capers, garlic, shallot, and basil to a food processor. Puree.
5. Stream in olive oil until spread is the desired consistency, about 1 1/2 tablespoons.
6. Add cayenne pepper and salt to taste.

7. Sandwiches:

8. Cut ciabatta loaf into four equal pieces; then cut each piece in half lengthwise.
9. Brush crust side of each with olive oil.
10. Spread 1/4 of the sun-dried tomato pesto on one side of four bread slices.
11. Top with 1/4 of the olives, 1/4 of the grated cheese, 2 slices turkey, 2 spinach leaves, and other bread slice.
12. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a grill pan over medium heat. Add 1-2 sandwiches and place a heavy pan on top of it to press it down.
13. Grill for 3 minutes, pressing down occasionally, then turn over and continue cooking until the bread is toasted, about 2 minutes more.
14. Grill the remaining sandwiches.

Reviews

[hannamiasmomma]

amazing flavors - especially in the pesto. The sandwich really tastes good with any creamy cheese such as a munster or even a fresh mozzarella. The pesto is perfect - I'll never look for a pesto recipe again. It;s a keeper, I plan on making extra and freezing in ice cube trays!

 

[natalie.navejar]

this was soooo goooood!!! the sun dried tomato pesto was awesome. it really gave it a little kick. i will definitely make again. thank you. reviewed for RSC # 11