Caprese Salad Grilled Cheese Sandwich

by Erin

Day three of recipes that incorporate basil! It may be safe to proclaim this as “Basil Week”. I wasn’t kidding when I said I had a big bundle! But for this recipe the pre-made fresh basil pesto was used, so no extra basil was used.

Recently I have noticed several Caprese salad recipes popping up in my Google reader. I thought to make one myself with the influx of basil but after asking my followers what they thought I should make, two suggested a sandwich and that stuck with me. How about a Caprese salad all melty and sandwiched between two wonderful pieces of multigrain bread? Mmmm what a comforting first bite.

Please, please, please use fresh Mozzarella for this sandwich. Not only is it softer and melts easier, but it’s soo much better!

Ingredients:

4 slices thick-cut multigrain bread

1/2 cup fresh pesto

2 plum tomatoes, cut into thick slices

Freshly ground black pepper

1/2 ball (1/2 pound) fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch slices

Balsamic vinegar

Olive oil

Directions:

  1. If you have a panini press, turn it on to warm up; otherwise, set a cast iron skillet over medium heat.
  2. Assemble sandwich by smearing insides of bread slices with pesto. Arrange a layer of sliced tomato and season with a few turns of fresh pepper. Layer the mozzarella slices over the top and then drizzle a little Balsamic vinegar. Place another piece of bread on top to make the sandwich.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over skillet’s surface and place sandwiches on the hot skillet or panini press. If using a skillet, place another heavy skillet over the top to form a “press”. Turn after 2 to 3 minutes and replace weight. The sandwich is ready when golden brown and mozzarella has melted around the edges.

Source: Adapted slightly from Tyler Florence on Food Network

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13 comments

Julia August 22, 2011 - 4:37 pm

We love caprese salad AND grilled cheese in my house, combined, perfect!

Reply
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts August 18, 2011 - 9:31 pm

Love the basil recipes! Wish my basil planted faired better this summer :(

Reply
spiffycookie August 18, 2011 - 11:12 pm

Aw that’s a bummer.

Reply
Steph@stephsbitebybite August 18, 2011 - 5:01 pm

This is such a great idea! I love the huge mozarella chunks ;)

Reply
spiffycookie August 18, 2011 - 11:12 pm

Chunks of cheese are definitely loveable.

Reply
veronica gantley August 18, 2011 - 12:25 pm

What a great and different way to enjoy this classic italian salad. That is really thinking out of the box. I happily buzzed this one! I bookmarked it to. My little panini press should make this pretty good. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Cassie (Bake Your Day) August 17, 2011 - 7:38 pm

This looks like perfection, what a great idea! I love Tyler Florence’s recipes! I’m enjoying the basil recipes, keep ’em coming!

Reply
spiffycookie August 17, 2011 - 9:09 pm

Thanks! Two more coming to finish off the week!

Reply
Lauren at Keep It Sweet August 17, 2011 - 12:22 pm

I love this! Wish I had it for lunch today.

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spiffycookie August 17, 2011 - 12:57 pm

Me too. It was dinner haha.

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Lauren August 17, 2011 - 10:49 am

Caprese Salads are one of my favorites! I’ll have to turn my next salad into a sandwich! Great idea!

Reply
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray August 17, 2011 - 10:15 am

Oh my gosh, I MUST make this. Caprese salad is my favorite thing in the world, and the thought of making it into a grilled cheese sandwich…fantastic. :)

Reply
spiffycookie August 17, 2011 - 12:56 pm

I so wanted to eat so of them after just taking one bite!

Reply

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