Tuesday, September 15, 2009

pesto, my new part time lover.

Ever since I saw Tyler Florence make these on food network, I've had a mini obsession.

Pesto and mozzarella grilled cheese sandwiches. Who thought that grilled cheese could get any better! Making homemade pesto is easier than you think! (Now, I do it at least once a week!)

I made these baguette size for a party I threw last week and they were a hit. Be careful though, they are highly addictive!
What's not to love? Stringy mozzarella sandwiched between two pieces of crisp-tender bread and a dollop of fragrant pesto!
Mozzarella pesto grilled cheese
4 slices of thick cut sourdough bread
1 ball of fresh mozzarella
1 cup of fresh basil pesto (recipe follows)
salt and pepper
extra virgin olive oil
(basil pesto)
1/2 C pine nuts
2 C fresh basil leaves
1 C fresh Italian parsley leaves
1/2 fresh Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves
1/4 t salt
1/2 C extra virgin olive oil
Combine pesto ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined, but still rough textured. Set a large skillet over medium heat. Assemble sandwiches by smearing insides of bread slices with pesto. Arrange a layer of sliced mozzarella and then place another piece of bread with the pesto side down on top. Drizzle olive oil over the skillets surface and place the sandwiches on the hot skillet. Place another heavy skillet on top of the bread slices to squish them down and form a "press". Turn after 2 or 3 minutes. The sandwich is ready with it is golden brown and the mozzarella has melted around the edges.

15 comments:

Emily said...

Looks Delish, but what is evvo?

Emily said...

Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

Kelly said...

Question....
How do you get your pics to go to a large super size on blogger? I've tried and mine won't.....any suggestions?

Elena said...

I seriously need to come to one of your parties someday! :)

UtahJenny said...

My mouth is watering, now to hurry up and pick all the fresh basil I grew this year ... YAY!

It's Always Something Around Here said...

oh that looks so yummy!!!!

Erin said...

YUM! PRINT!

Rebecca said...

hi.and yum...will be making pesto pronto...have you ever tried giada's pesto on sauteed shrimp?..look out taste buds...it's the best!

enjoy your day!

Brindi said...

Your little sandwiches have inspired me to make some pesto with the basil in the garden. And I always say this on your site, but your music choices are the best. Sometimes, I leave up you site and groove around to your playlist!

Brindi said...

Ohhh....the Tom Jones "Burning Down the House." Love it.

Sandy said...

Oh my goodness! I have to make those soon!

Tamie said...

ok well...just a little saliva dripped down the corner of my mouth---but nothing that i can't handle :)
yum! that will be a keeper, FOR SURE!

Jenny said...

YUM!!

Live.Love.Eat said...

Awesome. I love Tyler. Ok, these guys are great. Miko or whatever. SO awesome.

Dawn said...

That looks really yummy, but is the pesto mild? I haven't been a fan of super spicy pesto...