A super easy recipe of Tomato Mozzarella Basil Panini. Panini is a grilled sandwich from Italy and is very popular in Europe and America.
Prep Time7 minutesmins
Cook Time5 minutesmins
Total Time12 minutesmins
Course: Light Meal / Brunch
Cuisine: Italian / European
Servings: 2
Author: Sonal Gupta @ simplyvegetarian777
Ingredients
Bread - 4 large thick & slices from a rustic artisan white breadOR 2 ciabatta rolls sliced into half horizontally, OR 2 small individual french rolls. Do not use a soft bread for this.
Tomatoes - 1 largesliced into thick slices or 6-8 thick slices. You can use whatever size available but make sure to cut it into thick slices.
Mozzarella cheese - 7-8 slices. In case you do not find slicesthen use shredded mozzarella. It gives a nice stringy texture when grilled. See note for substitutes.
Basil leaves - 5-7 big leavesfresh and washed. You can use 1/4 tsp of dry basil leaves in case you can not find fresh basil.
Olive Oil - to brush the 4 slices of the bread generously
Salt & Black pepper to taste
Instructions
Kitchen Equipments Required
A Panini Grill or a Heavy bottom pan/griddle like lodge cast iron or hard anodized pan.
Method
Heat the Panini Grlll to high. In case you are using griddle or pan, heat the pan with little oil in it.
Take 4 thick slices of the bread. Brush them liberally with olive oil on one side only. Set 1 slice on the hot grill with the oiled side down, facing the hot grill.
Arrange tomato slices in a single layer and then with mozzarella cheese. Scatter some basil leaves and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cover with another slice of the bread, with oiled side facing up.
Close the grill and let the panini grill on medium high till you get the desired golden brown crust on both sides.
In case you are using the griddle, grill by pressing down with a flat spatula and once the bottom is grilled to the desired golden, flip carefully to grill the other side. Press again with the spatula till done.
Repeat the process to make the 2nd panini. In case your grill or pan is big enough, then grill them together.
Serving Suggestion
Serve it hot with some potato chips, cucumber pickles and fruit on the side to make it a complete meal.
Notes
In absence of mozzarella, you may use paneer, or cheddar or muenster cheese.