Description
Mediterranean-inspired turkey basil pesto panini delivers a perfect harmony of flavors between crisp bread and juicy protein. Melted cheese and herbal notes create a satisfying sandwich experience you will savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 pieces sourdough bread
- 1.5 pounds (680 g) turkey, sliced
- ½ pound (227 g) fontina cheese, sliced
- 1 cup pesto
- 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
- olive oil
Instructions
- Preparation: Lay bread slices on a clean surface, creating a strategic panini assembly workspace.
- Pesto Application: Spread basil pesto comprehensively across each bread slice, ensuring complete, edge-to-edge coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Cheese and Protein Layer: Distribute fontina cheese uniformly, then strategically place turkey slices to create a harmonious protein and dairy foundation.
- Tomato Enhancement: Position fresh tomato slices over the turkey, introducing a vibrant, moisture-rich component to the sandwich composition.
- Sandwich Construction: Crown the layered ingredients with remaining bread slices, gently pressing to compact the filling and create a cohesive structure.
- Exterior Preparation: Delicately brush olive oil on both sandwich exteriors, promoting an optimal golden-brown crust and enhancing overall texture.
- Cooking Process: Preheat grill pan or panini press to medium-high temperature, then carefully position the sandwich and cook until cheese melts and exterior transforms into a crispy, caramelized golden shell.
- Serving: Remove from heat, slice diagonally to reveal intricate layers, and serve immediately while temperature and texture are at their peak.
Notes
- Cheese Melting Tip: Use room temperature fontina for smoother, faster melting and more even distribution across the sandwich.
- Pesto Spreading Technique: Apply pesto generously but not too thickly to prevent soggy bread and maintain crisp texture.
- Oil Application Trick: Use a pastry brush for thin, even olive oil coating to achieve uniform golden-brown crispiness on panini exterior.
- Pressing Pressure Point: Apply gentle, consistent pressure while grilling to create perfect grill marks and compress sandwich layers without squeezing out fillings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg