7 Perfect Paninis

If you're looking for a quick, simple and LIGHTER meal option, what could be better than a panini? Here are seven great recipes that'll whip you into a pro panini chef in no time:

Panini
Panini

Portabello Mushroom and Basil Pesto Panini

Ingredients:

sliced ciabatta, or other sturdy bread
4 portabello mushrooms, sliced
sliced tomato
thinly sliced onion
mozzarella cheese
fresh basil pesto
olive oil
salt and pepper

Directions:

Saute mushrooms in olive oil until tender over medium heat. Brush one side of bread with olive oil. Turn over and layer both pieces with mozzarella. Then add to one side a teaspoon of pesto, sauteed mushrooms, sliced onion and tomato. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and put sandwich together. Grill in panini press until browned.

Related: Easy family meals for under $10

panini
panini

Lemon Chicken Panini

Ingredients:

For Chicken:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 sliced lemon
2 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

For Paninis:
ciabatta rolls
sliced mozzarella
sliced tomato
sliced onion
olive oil
salt and pepper

Directions:

Add chicken, stock, lemon and herbs to crock pot. Turn to low and cook for 6 - 8 hours.

When chicken is done, remove from crock pot and place on a plate. Use two forks to pull chicken.

Brush rolls with olive oil. Add cheese, chicken, sliced tomato, onion and more cheese to sandwiches. Cook in a panini press until cheese is melted.

Related: 10 recipes everyone should know how to make

Panini
Panini

Italian Meats & Mozzarella Panini

Ingredients:

Italian bread
Pepper Salame
hot Capollo
hot Calabrese
sliced Mozzerella
sliced tomato
sliced red onion
fresh basil leaves
olive oil

Directions:

Preheat panini press. Slice bread. Brush olive oil on one side of the bread. Assemble paninis with the olive oil brushed side of the bread out. Then layer cheese, meats, tomato, onion, basil and another layer of cheese. Grill in press until golden brown.

Related: 10 creative ways to eat pizza for breakfast

Panini
Panini

Mozzarella Pesto Panini

Ingredients:

2 pieces rustic country bread
2 slices of fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
2 tablespoons fresh pesto
1 teaspoon butter

Directions:

Spread both sides of the bread with the pesto and place the mozzarella in the middle. Warm the butter in a skillet over medium heat and place the sandwich in it. Place a heavy lid or tea kettle on top of the sandwich and let it cook for about 3 minutes, or until crispy and golden. Flip the sandwich and repeat cooking on the other side with the kettle placed on top. Cook for another 2-3 minutes. Cut and serve!

Related: The 50 best recipes for kids - picky-eater meals, healthy dishes, and more

panini
panini

Black and White Panini

Ingredients:

4 slices of sandwich bread, white or whole wheat 2 Tbsp Olive Tapenade 1 1/2 Tbsp Horseradish spread 4 Tbsp white cheese, shredded *I used vegan Daiya Cheese in my panini photos 2 tsp balsamic vinegar fresh black pepper

Directions:


Gather your ingredients and prepare olive tapenade (if making fresh). Quickie Version: You can choose from several store bought brands. Le Pain Quotidien has a fabulous olive spread - and there are several brands I've tried from Whole Foods that are delicious.

Spread olive tapenade onto one side your sliced bread.

Spread horseradish onto other slice of bread. Use enough of each spread so that the entire surface is lightly coated. Use more horseradish for more spiciness.

Drizzle 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar on top of the olive tapenade. Grind some pepper over top. Smear vinegar into spread with a butter knife.

Place 'black' slice onto panini press or grill. Top with Daiya or other 'white' cheese. Place 'white' horseradish slice of bread on top of the cheese. Brush outer sides of bread with a bit of EVOO.

Grill until cheese melts and sides of bread are a deep brown grill-marked color. Grill marks are swoonable. Slice and serve!

Related: The 50 best recipes under 100 calories

panini
panini

Basil & Roasted Red Pepper Panini

Ingredients:

4 slices of thick, sturdy bread
8-10 Mozzarella Balls
1 Roasted red pepper
4 Artichoke hearts
4 Sundried tomatoes
8 leaves fresh basil

Directions:

Slice bread into four 3/4″ thick pieces and spread a thin layer of butter in one side of each slice of bread.

On the non-butter side of two bread slices, layer your olive bar ingredients, with cheese going as close to the bread as possible.

Top the sandwich with your final pieces of bread (butter side up) and grill in a panini press, George Foreman grill or cook grilled-cheese style in a hot skillet.

Related: 41 copycat recipes from your fave fast food joints

panini
panini

Chicken Panini with Artichoke Olive Tapenade, Roasted Bell Peppers and Caramelized Onions

Ingredients:

1 loaf of artisan bread, thinly sliced*
artichoke and olive tapenade (recipe follows)
6 ounces fontina cheese (or another melty cheese), sliced
4 roasted bell peppers
3/4 cup caramelized onions
1 large bunch fresh basil
1 pound cooked chicken (recipe for chicken in parchment paper follows)

Directions:

Spread 1 slice of bread with tapenade, and layer the cheese and peppers on top. Spread caramelized onions on another slice and top with basil and chicken. Put the two halves together, brush the outsides of the bread with olive oil, and grill on a panini maker or on a cast iron pan with another cast iron pan pressed on top. Repeat with all remaining sandwiches.

For 5 more delicious panini recipes, visit Babble

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Family Kitchen | Babble.com
Family Kitchen | Babble.com

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