Turkey Balsamic Panini {Ciabatta Bread}

What’s your favorite type of sandwich? Mine, by far, is a panini. With so many different goodies to stuff between two slices of great Italian bread, what’s not to love?

Over the weekend, I had a hankering for a tasty panini. Although, I am so embarrassed to admit that, even though I have a great panini press, more often than not I usually use the griddle function of the press for pancakes. I hardly ever use it to make grilled sandwiches…what a shame! After eating these tasty sandwiches (both for lunch and dinner, mind you…yes, they were that good), my husband and I decided that I definitely need to cook with my panini press more often.

You really can’t go wrong when preparing one of these grilled Italian sandwiches. All you have to do is grab two slices of your favorite Italian bread, brush the outsides of the bread with some extra virgin olive oil (and add some Rosemary if you like), stuff all sorts of goodies between the bread (i.e. mozzarella, basil, mixed greens, meat…whatever makes your tummy happy) and then press between two hot plates of a panini press. The final result will be a great tasting Italian-style sandwich that will knock your socks off.

Here’s one of my favorite panini recipes:

Turkey Balsamic Panini {Ciabatta Bread}

Ingredients:

• Two slices of Ciabatta bread
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Rosemary
• Fresh, deli turkey
• Two tomato slices
• Spring mix salad
• Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing
• One slice Mozzarella

Directions:

1. Preheat a panini press to get the plates nice and hot.
2. Spread extra virgin olive oil on outsides of bread; sprinkle rosemary on top of extra virgin olive oil.
3. Place turkey, tomatoes, spring mix, dressing and mozzarella on one slice; top layers with second slice of bread.
4. Put sandwich on panini press and press down slightly; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until bread is nice and crispy and cheese is melted.

What’s your favorite ingredient to use when making a panini?