Grilled Veggie Panini

I love sandwiches and I love Italian food. So according to transitive property of equality I love Italian - Sandwiches...aka Paninis.

Essentially Panini is nothing but nice rustic bread, fresh pesto, olive oil, mozzarella cheese and any filling you want. It could be grilled chicken, salmon or salami. I, being a veggie lover would stick to grilled Veggie Panini.


Pesto:

1/4 Cup of olive oil.

1 Cup of fresh basil.

1/2 Cup of grated parmesan reggiano cheese.

1 Teaspoon of black pepper.

Salt to taste.

4-5 Garlic Cloves.

Grind all the ingredients to make smooth and creamy pesto.

Ingredients:

1 focaccia or Sourdough roll.

2 large Onions cut in rings.

1 Zucchini cut in thin strips.

1 Red bell Pepper. Cut in long strips.

1 Roll of fresh mozzarella cheese in water.Cut in thin slices.

1/2 Teaspoon of dried oregano.

1/2 Teaspoon of dried Basil.

1/2 Teaspoon of dried Parsley.

1/2 Teaspoon of black pepper.

Salt to taste.

Store bought salad mix.

Some sprouts (See if you get Alfalfa sprouts).

Procedure:

Slice the bread in half.

Mix all the dry ingredients together and apply the mixture on cut veggies for couple of minutes.

Heat the pan on high heat. Spray on the non-stick spray.

Sizzle the veggies till you see grill marks on them.

Apply pesto on both the slices inside.

Set the grilled veggies on the sandwich.

Set couple of slices of mozzarella cheese on the veggies.

Set a bed of sprouts on the cheese layer.

Close the sandwich and grill it for 2 mins. You can use the sandwich maker to do the same. Do not lock if you are using sandwich maker. You can gently press it against the sandwiches.

Grill it till you see cheese oozing out of it.

Tastes great with side salad of radish and greens.