Tortilla Panini Recipes

BREAKFAST PANINI

Steps:

• For the pancetta: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 2 baking sheets with vegetable oil cooking spray. Arrange the pancetta in a single layer on each baking sheet. Bake until golden and crispy, about 10 to 12 minutes.
• For the jam: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, figs, and brandy (or apple juice) over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Pour into a food processor and add the hazelnuts. Blend until smooth and thick.
• Preheat a panini press. Spread the bottom half of each roll with the jam. Place 4 slices of cooked pancetta on top and add 2 slices of cheese. Place the top half of the roll on top of the cheese. Grill in a panini maker until the bread is toasted and the cheese has melted, 4 to 5 minutes. Cool slightly and serve.
• Cook's Notes:
• -To toast the hazelnuts, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly toasted. Cool completely before using.
• - For easier slicing, freeze the cheese for 15 minutes

QUICK & EASY DINNER: QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with a little olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill on medium-high for about 8 minutes, until tender. Or in a large saute pan with a little olive or vegetable oil over medium-high heat, saute vegetables until tender. Set aside.
• Lay the tortilla flat, and on the bottom half only, evenly lay 1/4 of the veggies, a sprinkle of beans if using, and four or five strips of meat. Sprinkle 1/4 of the cheese (approx. 1/3 cup) over the filling ingredients.
• Carefully fold the top half over so the quesadilla is a half-moon shape.
• Place the quesadilla in a panini press and cook until cheese is melted and outside is golden-crisp, or cook in a saute pan drizzled with vegetable, canola, or olive oil over medium-high heat, carefully flipping occasionally, until the cheese is melted and both sides are golden-brown.
• Serve with salsa, pico de gallo, sour cream, avocado, and or guacamole as condiments.

CLASSIC REUBEN PANINI

Steps:

• Heat closed contact grill 5 minutes.
• Spread butter on one side of each bread slice. On unbuttered side of 1 bread slice, spread 1 tablespoon of the dressing. Top with 1/4 cup of the sauerkraut, 2 oz corned beef, 2 slices cheese and remaining bread slice, buttered side up. Repeat for remaining sandwiches.
• When grill is heated, place sandwiches on grill. Close grill; grill 5 to 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and grill marks appear. Serve immediately.

HEALTHY GREEK CHICKEN PANINI

Steps:

• Heat a panini maker.
• Lay tortilla on a work surface and spread with hummus. Top with sliced chicken, red peppers, feta cheese, and then spinach. Fold tortilla in half and spray with cooking spray.
• Grill in the preheated panini maker until outside is golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes.

TORTILLA PANINI

Steps:

• 1. Warm your tortilla for 15 seconds or so in the microwave. Slice the tortilla from the center to the bottom. Mentally divide it into four quadrants, with the first quadrant being the one immediately to the right of the slice, the second above it, the third to the left of the second, and the fourth below the third.
• 2. Scramble your egg with a pinch of salt. Pour it into a heated small skillet (butter or cooking spray is good, but optional). Let it cook a minute or so until it starts to set. Lift up an edge and let liquid egg seep underneath. Try to keep it fairly flat - you want an egg pancake, not scrambled eggs.
• 3. Fit the egg pancake into the second quadrant. Season as desired (I added a little hot sauce).
• 4. Fit the ham slice into the third quadrant.
• 5. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the fourth quadrant and top with a few pieces of roasted red pepper or green chiles - I used jarred sweet bell pepper, because I had some already opened, but would also use canned green chiles.
• 6. Fold up the tortilla, folding the empty first quadrant over the second, then over the third, finally over the fourth.
• 7. Heat your skillet with a little neutral cooking oil or coconut oil or cooking spray - whatever you like.
• 8. Place your sandwich with the fourth quadrant down - this is the one that had the cheese on it. Cooking this first melts the cheese and keeps it all together. Saute until it's golden brown, carefully flip over and saute the other side. Remove to serving dish.
• I posted photos of the construction process, which hopefully will make this clearer. Obviously, you can use any fillings you like. I've used cooked bacon instead of ham; another time I used deli turkey, thinly sliced pear, and brie. The trick is not to use too much of any filling - it won't fold well.