Mediterranean Panini with Heirloom Tomato Gorgonzola Salad



Here is installment number two of the cook with what you have recipe list.  We got a Panini Grill from my Brother and Sister-in-law a few years ago, and we LOVE it.  It is the Griddler Gourmet. They carry it at Costco.  If you don't have a griddler, try a George Foreman grill (I see them at thrift stores for cheap all the time), or a regular frying pan will work, you just won't get the grill marks. 

Panini Recipe

1 chicken breast split flat to make thin flat pieces of chicken

or 6 tenderloins split flat to make 12 pieces

Montreal steak seasoning (or salt & Pepper is fine)

8 large basil leaves

1 1/2 cups shreaded Mozzarella cheese

1 large heirloom tomato sliced thin

2 thin slices of onion of your choice

4 slices of sliced sourdough.  I usually use San Francisco style, or Shepherds Bread

Brush 1 side of each piece of bread with olive oil and set aside.

brown chicken with montreal seasoning until cooked

place 2 slices of bread on heated grill, sprinkle light layer of cheese, then add chicken, basil, onion and tomato in layers, top with more cheese.

Place top breads on sandwich and grill until golden brown

While sandwiches are grilling, cut up various style heirloom tomatoes to make 3 cups, chop 6 basil leaves, add to tomatoes.  Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar to your liking, we do a 3-1 ratio 1 tsp balsamic 3 tspns olive oil.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Add 1/3 cup chopped Gorgonzola cheese, toss together, serve with hot Panini.

This is a quick easy dinner for a hot summer nite.  We are enjoying all our tomatoes fresh from the garden.  And keep experimenting with new recipes.  Lets see what we can come up with next week.