Description
A delicious and vibrant Balsamic Glazed Caprese Panini Supreme featuring fresh mozzarella, ripe roma tomatoes, peppery arugula, fragrant basil, and a rich homemade basil pesto, all grilled to golden perfection and finished with a tangy-sweet balsamic glaze.
Ingredients
Scale
Balsamic Glaze
- 1 Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Honey (or sugar)
Caprese Panini
- Bread (sourdough preferred), 2 slices
- Fresh Mozzarella, sliced, about 3-4 oz
- Roma Tomatoes, sliced, 3-4 slices
- Arugula, a handful
- Fresh Basil Leaves, about 6 leaves
- Homemade Basil Pesto, about 2 tablespoons
- Butter, enough to butter one side of each bread slice
Instructions
- Make the Balsamic Glaze: In a small pot over medium heat, combine 1 cup of balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until it reduces by half, stirring occasionally. Avoid boiling; reduce the heat to medium-low if necessary. Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Caprese Sandwich: Butter one side of each slice of sourdough bread. Flip the slices over, and spread a generous layer of homemade basil pesto on the unbuttered side of each slice. Place the pesto side up and layer on a handful of arugula, 6 fresh basil leaves, sliced roma tomatoes, and slices of fresh mozzarella. Season the fillings with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Drizzle some of the prepared balsamic glaze over the toppings.
- Assemble and Grill: Top the stacked ingredients with the second slice of bread, pesto side inward. Heat a panini grill or grill pan over medium heat. Place the sandwich on the grill and cook until the bread is golden brown and crisp, and the cheese has melted—about 3-5 minutes per side if using a grill pan, or until grill marks appear and cheese melts if using a panini press.
- Serve: Remove the panini from the grill. Allow it to rest for a minute, then slice and serve immediately while warm and melty.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with sugar or maple syrup for the balsamic glaze.
- Using sourdough bread adds a nice tang and sturdiness to hold the fillings.
- Adjust the amount of balsamic glaze to your taste preference; it adds a sweet and tangy contrast.
- For a vegetarian diet, ensure the mozzarella and pesto contain no animal rennet or additives.
- Keep the balsamic glaze warm or at room temperature for easy drizzling.
