Lucy’s Caprese Panini
From Dame Lucy in Sonoma, California
Lucy believes there are certain meals that should not require a committee meeting. A ripe tomato, some good mozzarella, a handful of basil, and something crusty enough to hold the whole affair together will usually do quite nicely.
This warm Caprese panini is one of those easy meals that somehow feels like more than a sandwich. Serve it for lunch, a light supper, or alongside a bowl of soup in the winter or a salad in the summer when you want something yummy but don’t want to spend an afternoon in the kitchen concocting it. Makes 2 generous sandwiches.
Prep Time
COOK TIME
Serves
Ingredients
- 4 generous slices of sourdough bread
- 4 to 6 slices fresh mozzarella
- 4 to 6 slices ripe tomato
- A handful of fresh basil leaves
- 2 to 4 tablespoons basil pesto
- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Cooked shredded chicken (optional)
Caprese Pesto Basil Panini with Shredded Chicken
How it All Comes Together
Prepare the bread.
Spread a thin layer of pesto on the inside of each slice.
Build the sandwich.
Layer the mozzarella, tomato, and fresh basil leaves. Sprinkle the tomatoes lightly with salt and freshly ground pepper.
Add a small drizzle of balsamic glaze, then top with the remaining slices of bread.
Grill until golden.
Brush the outside of the bread lightly with olive oil. Place the sandwiches in a preheated panini press and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, until the bread is crisp and golden and the mozzarella is beginning to melt.
No panini press? Place the sandwiches in a skillet over medium heat and set another heavy skillet on top to press them down. Flip once and continue cooking until golden on both sides.
Serve immediately.
Slice each sandwich in half and eat while the cheese is still warm and melty.
A Little Advice from Dame Lucy
Put the mozzarella next to the bread and the tomatoes toward the center of the sandwich. It helps keep those beautiful ripe tomatoes from turning your lovely panini into something requiring a fork, several napkins, and possibly a change of blouse.
Tea Pairing: Jasmine Green Tea
Jasmine Green Tea is a fragrant, floral favorite that turns an ordinary cup into a quiet little escape. Infused with jasmine blossoms (or jasmine-scented layers), it brings a delicate, aromatic character that feels like a warm streetlight and garden air at twilight… soft at first-sip, beautifully layered, and just bright enough to lift your mood without ever taking over.
It also pairs beautifully with a caprese panini, where the brightness of fresh tomato and the creaminess of mozzarella call for a drink that’s equally refined but not heavy. Jasmine tea’s floral notes move through the basil and melty cheese like a graceful breeze through open windows, making each bite taste even fresher.