Italian Panini Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 small clove garlic
• 3/4 cup packed basil leaves
• 1/4 cup fresh celery leaves
• 2 tablespoons walnut oil
• 1- teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup toasted walnuts
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 ciabatta rolls (split)
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella (sliced)
• 6 slices prosciutto
• 1 red bell pepper (roasted, peeled, seeded, sliced)
• 2 teaspoons hickory smoked balsamic vinegar or plain balsamic syrup
• shredded fresh basil

Instructions

1. 1

   For the pesto: With food processor running drop garlic through feed tube and process until finely minced. Add basil, celery leaves and oil; pulse until combined. Add lemon juice, walnuts, parmesan, sugar and salt; blend until smooth scraping down sides of bowl, if needed.

2. 2

   Spread generous amount of pesto evenly on bottom half of each roll.

3. 3

   On top of the pesto evenly layer desired amount of the mozzarella, prosciutto and peppers.

4. 4

   Drizzle peppers with balsamic, sprinkle with some shredded basil and cover sandwich with roll top.

5. 5

   Gently press sandwich together.

6. 6

   Grill sandwich in a lightly greased Panini maker or on a griddle, pressing with a weight, for 2 to 3 minutes per side or until golden brown.