Here’s a sandwich that’s a riff on a favorite Italian street food, the delicious and simple caprese panini!

Ingredients:

• half a loaf of ciabatta
• pesto
• 1 small really ripe, possibly heirloom tomato, sliced
•  fresh mozzarella, sliced
• torn basil leaves
• salt

Directions:

1. Heat the panini press, if you have one.
2. Slice the Ciabatta in half lengthwise.
3. Spread both inside halves with pesto.
4. Arrange the tomato slices in a single layer on the bottom half of the bread.
5. Sprinkle it with salt.
6. Add the mozzarella slices.
7. Top it with torn basil leaves.
8. And finally, the top bread.
9. If you have a panini press, go for it! If not, place the sandwich in a grill pan, then use a heavy flat lid to weigh it down.  If you have a waffle maker with reversible plates, use the flat side and grill it in the waffle iron.
10. Grill the sandwich for 3-4 minutes, then flip it and grill it for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt. Panini in Italy are toasted, but not really warm and gooey in the center like an American grilled sandwich; to keep it authentic, don’t go for a full melt.

Serves:  1

Source:  Sage & Simple