A vibrant panini featuring melted mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil pesto, and a crispy golden crust.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread & Dairy
01 - 4 slices country-style or sourdough bread
02 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
→ Vegetables & Condiments
04 - 1 large ripe tomato, sliced
05 - 2 tbsp basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
06 - Handful of fresh basil leaves
→ Seasoning
07 - Pinch of sea salt
08 - Freshly ground black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Spread basil pesto evenly on one side of each bread slice.
02 - Place half the mozzarella slices onto two bread slices on the pesto side.
03 - Layer tomato slices, fresh basil leaves, and season with salt and pepper over the mozzarella.
04 - Top tomatoes with remaining mozzarella slices and cover with remaining bread slices, pesto side down.
05 - Spread softened butter on the outside surfaces of each sandwich.
06 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat.
07 - Cook sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing down with a spatula if using a skillet, until bread is golden and cheese has melted.
08 - Remove sandwiches from heat, let rest for 1 minute, then slice and serve warm.
