Goat Cheese Panini with Pesto and Tomato

There is this fabulous cafe here on the North Shore called The Atomic Cafe (locations in Beverly and Marblehead). They make one of my most favorite sandwiches – goat cheese panini with pesto and tomato. I totally stole the recipe from them when I received my Cuisinart Griddler for Christmas! For those of you who do not have panini grill at home, I recommend putting your bread in the toaster first so you still get that nice crunch.

Ingredients

2-3oz Goat Cheese (depends on how thick you want the layer to be!)
2 slices Tuscan pane bread (also any focaccia, ciabatta, or crusty bread)
1/2 plum tomato, sliced (you can use a whole one if there is room)
3 tbsp pesto
Olive oil for drizzling
Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

If using a panini press or grill:

Set grill to high heat.
Spread goat cheese on bottom slice of bread and sprinkle with black pepper.
Spread pesto on top slice of bread.
Place tomatoes on top of goat cheese on the bottom slice and drizzle small amount of olive oil over tomatoes.
Place top slice of bread with pesto side down onto the tomatoes.
Place sandwich in grill for 5-7 minutes (check for burning!).
Remove from grill and enjoy with red grapes and raw walnuts on the site!

If using a toaster for bread:

Put bread in toaster and toast till golden.
Put goat cheese on plate and warm in microwave for 15-20 seconds.
Spread goat cheese on bottom slice of toasted bread.
Spread pesto on top slice of toasted bread.
Place tomatoes on top of goat cheese on the bottom slice and drizzle small amount of olive oil over tomatoes.
Place top slice of bread with pesto side down onto the tomatoes.
Enjoy with red grapes and raw walnuts on the site!

Happy Eats!
@ashkalei