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The Good Hearted Woman

Home Cooking & Cozy Living

  • SOURDOUGH RECIPES & RESOURCES

Caprese Panini Without a Press {3 Ways!}

August 22 By Renée 3 Comments

It’s that time of year! The tomatoes are ripe, the basil is lush, and a freshly-pressed panini sounds like the perfect meal.

Make Panini Without a Press | The Good Hearted Woman

However, if you are like me, you might not have a Panini Press just sitting around. They are expensive, they take up a boatload of room, and they don’t do a whole lot beside grill panini. (OK, I know.  They can do lots of things. George Forman. Cuisanart.  Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I’ve owned them both at one time. But really, eleven months out of twelve, they are just big space hogs.)  Besides, there are any number of easy alternatives if you just think just a little outside the box pan.

Caprese Panini |The Good Hearted Woman

To make a perfect caprese panini, you will need sliced mozzarella, fresh basil, and some kind of hearty bread (sourdough works nicely).  And FRESH tomatoes!  (I picked these beautiful romas up at the Hillsboro Tuesday Market this week, from Flamingo Ridge Farms.)  I like to add a little basil pesto too, but this is completely optional.

Caprese Panini |The Good Hearted Woman

Layering cheese on both sides protects your panini from “tomato leakage.”

Caprese Panini |The Good Hearted Woman

Now comes the fun part: pick your pressing method. My favorite is the waffle iron, but only because it is so unique – people don’t expect it.  The easiest method is to grill it on a flat griddle. When I use a flat griddle, I do two to four sandwiches at a time and use a Pyrex baking dish to weight them down.  Of course, unlike a real panini press, you have to flip the sandwiches halfway through the process.

Make Panini Without a Press | The Good Hearted Woman

Results (left to right): Skillet, grilling pan, waffle iron.

Caprese Panini |The Good Hearted Woman

What are some of your favorite cooking hacks?

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Filed Under: 30-Minute Meals, Main Dishes, Munchies, Vegetarian Tagged With: Sandwiches

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About Renée

Renée is writer, music maker, artist, and storyteller. In her spare time, you can find her writing love songs about cowboys, exploring the moss-covered nooks and crannies of the Pacific Northwest, and making music with her talented singer-husband.

Comments

  1. blankPech says

    August 23 at

    Don’t you love tomato season on Portland! Thanks for another idea of a way to enjoy the current tomato bounty!

    Reply
  2. blankMarlynn @UrbanBlissLife says

    August 24 at

    YUM! Although, I do have to confess: we use our panini maker all the time (for grilled cheese sandwiches, especially) and it was inexpensive and slides away neatly into a small space in one cupboard. But I love your idea — it’s genius for those without a panini maker!

    Reply

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