Two-Cheese Panini With Tomato-Olive Pesto

Submitted by MarraMamba

"This is a Tom Colicchio recipe (Wichcraft) that I cut in half, but once you make the pesto, it's easy to make 1 or 20. (I still don't see how they get 20 out of it--lol)"

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Yields: 20 small sandwiches

ingredients

• 1⁄3 cup drained sun-dried tomato packed in oil, coarsely chopped
• 3 tablespoons oil-cured black olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• fresh ground pepper
• 10 slices white bread
• extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
• 5 slices provolone cheese
• 1⁄2 lb fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch slices

directions

1. In a food processor, combine the sun-dried tomatoes with the olives and oregano. Season with pepper and process to a coarse paste.
2. Lightly brush 1 side of each slice of bread with olive oil and set on a large baking sheet, oiled side down. Top half of the bread with the provolone, spread each slice with 1 tablespoon of the tomato-olive pesto and top with the mozzarella. Close the sandwiches with the remaining bread, oiled side up.
3. Heat a griddle or a very large skillet. Arrange 3 or 4 sandwiches on the griddle and top with a cast-iron skillet: do not press the pan down. Cook the sandwiches over moderately high heat until golden on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Flip the sandwiches and cook until browned and the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
4. Cut the crusts off the sandwiches, then cut into triangles and serve.
5. MAKE AHEAD The panini can be prepared through Step 3 and stored on a wire rack at room temperature for up to 6 hours. Reheat on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven until crisp.

Reviews

[Susie D]

Easy & delicious. I love when simple ingredients combine into somnething special. I used the panini maker & used olive oil cooking spray. Paired with Recipe #420506 and made for ZWT6.

 

[Debbera]

Excellent Panini for lunch with friends. I will have this one again!

 

[Leggy Peggy]

This was part of our panini party. I spread out lots of ingredients and posted the recipes nearby. This was a perfect choice for vegetarians. Also added a little fresh basil. Yummo!

 

[Rinshinomori]

Very simple and meat-free panini full of flavor. I just used a regular sandwich bread removing the crusts and since I do not have a panini maker, used my regular grill with a weight on top. Thank you Marramamba for posting this delish recipe.

 

[Vicki in CT]

Absolutely fabulous panini. It is amazing how so few ingredients come together so perfectly. I have to admit I'm not one to measure, but the guesstimations worked out perfectly. I did use fresh basil instead of oregano and for paninis always use Naan bread because I love the texture. Will definitely make again. I saved some the olive pesto (I only made one sandwich) to make again soon. Great combo. For ZWT and my teammate on the Gastronomic Gauchos. Also, unless your cooking for very tiny eaters, there is no way this serves 20 :) I would guess 2 to 3 instead.