Grilled Zucchini, Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Panini

Grilled Zucchini, Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Panini Recipe

Sometimes when it's Mother's Day Out and you have the house to yourself, you just need to make yourself a fabulous, slightly time consuming, mouthwatering lunch.  I knew this was going to be good, so I took pictures, BUT... it was even better than I thought it would be! SERIOUSLY, DELICIOUS.  I didn't have any fresh Basil so I used dried, if you have fresh, use it!  I recommend you eat it slowly, and savor it, not cram it down your throat like I did.

I'm a big fan of vegetarian sandwiches, you really don't miss the meat if you have enough flavor happening on the inside!  This would be a good one to save this for a meatless Monday.

 (Please ignore the baking spray, I grabbed the wrong can! And, insert basil.)

Heat an oiled grill pan, add 1/4" sliced zucchini, add a dash of garlic salt and cook over medium heat for 3-4 minutes on each side. 

This is a fantastic way to cook zucchini as a side dish.  You can use a grill pan, or put it directly on your grill outside.  zucchini can sometimes taste bland, this really helps brings out the flavor!

Butter the outside side of your bread, and layer on the mozzarella, zucchini and tomatoes.

Top with salt and pepper, and a dash of dried basil (fresh leaves if you have them).

Heat your panini press to medium.  With the buttered sides of your bread facing out, press your sandwich until the bread is golden and crusty, and the cheese is gooey.

Enjoy!

Grilled Zucchini, Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Panini RecipeServes: 2

Ingredients:

4 slices good quality bread

1 zucchini, 1/4" slices

1 vine ripe tomato

1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 tablespoon butter, divided

pinch of dried basil or a few leaves of fresh basil

garlic salt

salt and pepper

non-stick cooking spray

Instructions:

Slice zucchini in half, then into 1/4' slices, sprinkle with garlic salt.  Spray a grill pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat it over medium heat.  Grill zucchini for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Butter one side of each slice of bread.  Top 2 of the non-buttered sides of bread, each with 1/4 cup of mozzarella.  Add a layer zucchini  then tomatoes.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Lay the remaining bread pieces on top, buttered side up. 

Preheat panini press to medium heat.  Place sandwiches in press.  Cook until the bread is golden and crusty, with nice grill marks, and the cheese has melted.

 Cheers!