P P Pesto Panini Recipes

CHICKEN PESTO PANINIS

Steps:

• Preheat a panini grill.
• Slice each quarter of focaccia bread in half horizontally. Spread each half with pesto. Layer bottom halves with equal amounts chicken, bell pepper, onion, and cheese. Top with remaining focaccia halves, forming 4 sandwiches.
• Grill paninis 5 minutes in the preheated grill, or until focaccia bread is golden brown and cheese is melted.

PROSCIUTTO AND PROVOLONE PANINI SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat a panini grill or waffle iron. Brush oil over bread slices. Turn 4 slices over; spread pesto evenly over bread. Top with half of the cheese, tearing to fit if necessary, all of the prosciutto and pepper strips and remaining cheese. Close sandwiches with remaining bread oiled sides up.
• Cook (in batches) in panini maker* or waffle iron 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and cheese is melted.

CHICKEN PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• Heat closed contact grill 3 to 5 minutes.
• Cut each piece focaccia in half horizontally. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto on cut sides of each half. Layer bottom halves with one-fourth of the chicken, bell pepper, onion and cheese. Cover with remaining focaccia halves.
• When grill is heated, place sandwiches on grill. Close grill; grill 3to 5 minutes or until focaccia is golden brown and cheese is melted.

PROSCIUTTO AND PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat or a panini press.
• Spread one cut side of ciabatta with the pesto and the other with olive oil. Layer one side of ciabatta with prosciutto, tapenade, if desired, red pepper, and arugula or basil, if desired; top with cheese. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Top with remaining bread.
• Brush top and bottom of the sandwich with olive oil. Place on grill pan and weight top of sandwich with a heavy skillet or a foil-wrapped brick. If using a panini press, grill according to manufacturer's instructions. Grill 3 to 4 minutes on first side, turn, weight down, and continue cooking until sandwich is golden and cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Cut sandwich into quarters. Serve immediately.

P. P. (PESTO PANINI)

Steps:

• Preheat the panini press.
• Coat one side of each bread slice with olive oil. This will help prevent the sandwich from sticking to the press/grill.
• Mix the mayonnaise with the pesto and spread on the other side of each bread slice. (I admit to adding an extra teaspoon of pesto!) On that, layer the remainder in the following order: Swiss, tomato, ham.
• Close sandwich, making sure the oiled side is facing outward, pop it in the panini press, close, count to 240... or thereabouts... and EAT!

BEEF PESTO PANINI

Steps:

• Spread 1 side of each slice of bread with butter.
• Place 4 slices of bread butter side down on 12-inch skillet.
• Top bread with beef, pesto and cheese.
• Top with remaining bread slice butter side up.
• Cook sandwiches on skillet or grill over medium heat 4-5 minutes, turning once, until bread is crisp and cheese has melted.
• Serve with spaghetti sauce if desired.

PESTO FOR PROSCIUTTO PANINI

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the oil, cheese, pine nuts, and butter. Process until smooth. Add basil, and pulse to desired texture. Season with salt and pepper. Store, refrigerated, in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.