Tastenexa
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Italian
Caprese Panini
16 min total8 prep8 cook1 servings460 cal
VegetarianFlexitarianContains glutenContains dairy
Ciabatta is layered with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomato, and basil, then pressed until the bread is crisp and the cheese turns melty. A drizzle of balsamic glaze ties the classic Caprese flavors together in this warm, Italian-inspired sandwich.
Ingredients
bakery
- 1ciabatta
dairy
- 80 gfresh mozzarella
produce
- 1tomato
- 6 leavesbasil
pantry
- 1 tbspbalsamic glaze
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 0.25 tspsalt
Steps
- Slice the ciabatta in half horizontally, and slice the tomato and mozzarella into rounds about the same thickness.
- Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel and rinse the basil leaves.
- Brush the outside of both ciabatta halves lightly with olive oil.
- Layer the mozzarella, tomato slices, and basil leaves on the bottom half of the ciabatta, then sprinkle with the salt.
- Close the sandwich with the top half of the ciabatta.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and place the sandwich inside, pressing down firmly with a spatula or heavy pan.
- Cook for 3–4 minutes per side, pressing occasionally, until the bread is golden and crisp and the mozzarella has melted.
- Transfer the panini to a cutting board and slice it in half on a diagonal.
- Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top before serving warm.
Tips
- Pat the tomato slices dry with a paper towel before assembling so the bread doesn't get soggy.
- Press the panini with a heavy pan or panini press for the best golden, crisp crust.
- Slice the mozzarella slightly thinner than the tomato so it melts evenly by the time the bread browns.
- Add the basil leaves whole rather than chopped so they don't bruise or blacken under the heat.
