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Caprese Panini

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Garden fresh tomatoes, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella on a crisp, toasty ciabatta roll. A panini twist on the classic caprese salad | Barbara Bakes

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Garden fresh tomatoes, basil pesto, and fresh mozzarella on a crisp, toasty ciabatta roll. A panini twist on the classic caprese salad.

I love a great panini sandwich. The crunchy bread and the hot melty cheese is irresistible. My husband bought me a panini maker two years ago for Christmas but I don’t use it often enough. So when Kathy, Panini Happy, offered to send me a review copy of her fantastic new cookbook, The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook, I immediately said yes. 

The Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook

There are so many recipes in the cookbook that I’m excited to try. The Chicken Cordon Bleu, Chicken Parm and Chicken Bacon Melt Paninis are on the top of the list. Did you know you can cook chicken breasts on the panini press before you cook the panini?

Of course I was especially attracted to the back of the book where she has dessert recipes like Apple Pie Panini, Grilled Angel Food Cake with Lemon Curd, and Grill-Tarts a version of the toaster strudel made with puff pastry.

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I chose to make the Caprese Panini because Kathy said in the book it’s the sandwich she recommends people grill first when they get a panini press. And because now is the perfect time of year to make a Caprese Panini before the juicy, ripe summer tomatoes are gone.

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5 from 1 vote

Caprese Panini

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Total Time11 minutes
Servings: 4 panini
Author: Barbara Schieving

Ingredients 

  • 1 French baguette cut into 4 portions (I used ciabatta rolls)
  • ½ cup pesto purchased or homemade
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced
  • 2 medium-size ripe tomatoes sliced
  • 8 fresh basil leaves I used baby spinach

Instructions

  • Preheat the panini grill to medium-high heat.
  • For each sandwich: Slice off the doomed top of a baguette portion to create a flat grilling surface.
  • Split the baguette to create top and bottom halves. Spread a layer of pesto inside each baguette half. On the bottom half layer some mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and more mozarella. Close the sandwich with the top baguette half.
  • Grill two panini at a time, with the lid closed, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted, 5 to 6 minutes .

Disclosure: Harvard Common Press sent me a free copy of the Ultimate Panini Press Cookbook, but all opinions expressed are always my own.

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About Melissa & Barbara

As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

Reader Interactions

Comments

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

  1. Anna and Liz Recipes

    Hi Barbara! GREAT idea for a Panini recipe! I make this in traditional sandwiches, but its Delicious in a Panini version, I am loving it! Have a wonderful weekend! xxoo
    I have always followed you!

  2. kristy

    oh my, this looks simply delish.
    Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
    Blessings, Kristy

  3. Angie@Angie's Recipes

    Love the caprese filling! The panini must be scrumptious!

  4. kesha

    I follow you on Pinterest

  5. kesha

    I follow you via email

  6. kesha

    I like you on facebook

  7. kesha

    I follow you on twitter

  8. kesha

    I love Panini’s! My favorite is a Rosemary Chicken Panini!

  9. Vetta

    This Panini looks wonderful. Love this blog and your pressure cooking one.! Keep the recipes coming!

  10. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar

    Gotta love a good panini. This recipe is awesome!

  11. Adele Klingberg

    Do not own a panini press but do it the old fashioned way with a heavy skillet, but would love to have this cookbook for new iideas.
    Thank Barbara

  12. Kathy - Panini Happy

    Thank you so much, Barbara!!

  13. Laura O

    I subscribe to your blog 🙂

  14. Laura O

    These look amazing! Yum!

  15. Pam

    This reminds me of a sandwich I get whenever I go to my favorite restaurant in Idaho. It looks amazing & has me drooling!!

  16. Carol

    I subscribe to Barbara Bakes through email.

  17. Carol

    I follow Barbara Bakes on Pinterest

  18. Carol

    Mmmmmmm-and I have garden fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and plenty of basil to make pesto-and a panini press gathering dust. All I need is a baguette and I’m good to go.

    Thanks Barbara and Kathy-that sandwich looks delicious.

    Carol

  19. Cookin Canuck

    I’ve been flipping through Kathy’s book, and there are so many fantastic ideas in there. This caprese panini definitely caught my eye.

  20. Rosa

    Scrumptious! That is a great idea.

    Cheers,

    Rosa