Recipe-o'-clock: Make this gourmet grilled vegetable panini
The grilled vegetable panini is a vegetarian sandwich celebrated for its rich flavors and adaptability. Hailing from Italy, paninis have captured hearts globally, providing an ideal foundation for a variety of fillings, including succulent grilled vegetables. As a dish free from meat and eggs, it offers a satisfying choice for vegetarians and those seeking a gourmet sandwich experience. Let's get cooking!
Gather the following ingredients
To prepare four servings of the gourmet grilled vegetable panini, you will need two zucchinis sliced lengthwise, one bell pepper cut into strips, and one red onion thinly sliced. Also required are eight slices of sourdough bread, 100 grams of creamy goat cheese (optional), two tablespoons of olive oil, and pesto sauce for flavor. Finish with a dash of salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare the vegetables
Begin by heating your grill or grill pan on medium. Lightly coat the zucchini slices, bell pepper strips, and red onion with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill the vegetables until tender with char marks, about four to five minutes on each side. Once they have nice grill marks and are softened, take them off the heat.
Assemble the paninis
Apply pesto sauce on one side of each sourdough slice. For those using goat cheese, spread it on the reverse side of four slices. Neatly arrange a layer of grilled zucchini, bell pepper, and red onion on the cheese-covered bread. Finish by placing a second slice of bread on top, pesto side down, to form the panini. This completes the sandwich assembly before grilling.
Grill the paninis
Preheat your grill or panini press to a medium setting. In the absence of a press, a heavy skillet can be used to weigh down the sandwiches during cooking. Arrange the prepared sandwiches on the grill or in the press. Cook them until they achieve a golden brown hue and become crispy, which should take approximately three to four minutes on each side.
Serve immediately
Once the gourmet grilled vegetable paninis reach a golden brown crispness, remove them from the heat. Slice each sandwich in half diagonally to enhance the presentation. Serve these hot paninis immediately with a side dish or a crisp salad for a well-rounded meal. The warm, tender vegetables paired with the crunchy exterior of the bread create a truly satisfying dining experience.
