Tuscan Grill Panini Recipes

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely.
• Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup (about) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• In a blender, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Yield: 1 cup
• Prep Time: 10 minutes

BASIC GRILLED PANINI

Steps:

• Drizzle olive oil on 1 side of each bread slice. Spread 1 tablespoon mayonnaise on the other side of each slice. Pile Cheddar cheese, ham, tomato, and onion on top. Top with other bread slice, mayonnaise side down.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat; spray lightly with cooking spray. Place sandwich on grill; weigh it down with a heavy pan. Cook until cheese is melted and grill marks appear, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Slice the bread in half horizontally and spread the cut-sides with the honey mustard. Build the sandwich by layering the bottom half of the loaf with half of the provolone, followed by the ham, turkey, salami and the remaining provolone (the provolone should be touching the bread on both sides, with the meat sandwiched in between). Cover with the top half of the loaf.
• Spread some of the butter on top of the loaf, then carefully flip over and butter the bottom. Slice into the desired number of sandwiches
• Heat a large two-burner grill pan over medium heat, or heat a panini maker. Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook, pressing down with a spatula, until the undersides are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (see Cook's Note). Turn the sandwiches and continue to cook, pressing, until golden brown on the reverse side and the cheese is melted, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the panini to a cutting board and slice in half. Serve immediately.

TUSCAN GRILL PANINI

Steps:

• Reserve 1 tablespoon dressing; pour remaining dressing over chicken and vegetables in a shallow dish. Stir vegetables and turn chicken to evenly coat both sides of each piece. Refrigerate 30 minutes to marinate.
• Heat panini grill. Meanwhile, drain chicken and vegetables; discard marinade. Cook chicken and vegetables in skillet on medium heat 10 minutes, or until chicken is done (165 degrees F) and vegetables are crisp-tender, turning chicken after 5 minutes and stirring vegetables occasionally.
• Fill bread slices with chicken, vegetables, cheese, and basil to make 2 sandwiches; brush outsides with reserved dressing. Grill 5 minutes, or until golden brown.

TUSCAN GRILL PANINI

Steps:

• RESERVE 1 tablespoons dressing; pour remaining over chicken and vegetables in shallow dish. Stir vegetables and turn chicken to evenly coat both sides of each piece. Refrigerate 30 minute to marinate.
• HEAT Panini grill. Meanwhile, drain chicken and vegetables; discard marinade. Cook chicken and vegetables in skillet on medium heat 10 minute or until chicken is done (165ºF) and vegetables are crisp-tender, turning chicken after 5 minute and stirring vegetables occasionally.
• FILL bread slices with chicken, vegetables, cheese and basil to make 2 sandwiches; brush outsides with reserved dressing. Grill 5 minute or until golden brown.
• Shortcut: Substitute 1 drained 7-oz. jar roasted red peppers for the marinated cooked fresh pepper strips.
• Use Your Skillet: If you don't have a Panini maker, cook sandwiches in a skillet instead. Spray large skillet with cooking spray. Heat on medium heat. Add sandwiches; cook 5 minute on each side or until golden brown on both sides, occasionally pressing down on sandwiches with back of spatula to flatten slightly.

ULTIMATE PANINI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute onions in oil until softened. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until deep golden brown., Layer the cheese, ham, tomato, pickles and caramelized onions on four bread slices; top with remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter., Cook on a panini maker or indoor grill for 3-4 minutes or until bread is browned and cheese is melted.

GRILLED TUSCAN CHICKEN PANINI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, basil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon garlic. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine olive oil, remaining 3 tablespoons lemon juice, remaining 3 teaspoons garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add chicken; seal bag and toss gently to combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from bag, discarding marinade. Cook chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
• Preheat panini press to medium-high heat. Spread mayonnaise mixture on cut sides of bread. On bottom half of bread, layer chicken, tomato, avocado, cheese, and top half of bread. Cut sandwich into fourths or sixths. Cook on panini press according to manufacturer's instructions. Serve immediately.