A Panino or Panini is an Italian word meaning a sandwich made with Italian bread. What makes it different is that it is not sliced but cut horizontally in half and filled or topped with a variety of ingredients and then usually toasted or grilled.
The best breads to use are focaccia, ciabatta and baguettes as they are better for toasting or grilling. I guess you could call a Panini an ‘open top’ toasted sandwich or even a ‘cheese melt’.
I always enjoy making and eating a Tomato and Cheese Panini. Ingredients are so readily available and you always feel fulfilled after consumption. And a panini is a cheap meal when you are on a budget when traveling. I don’t make my own panini bread, I usually buy it, then add my own toppings and fillings.
And even though this recipe is called ‘cheese and tomato’ you can put other toppings on your Panini bread. I recently enjoyed a Panini with bacon, roasted pumpkin, roma tomato, a little red onion and of course, cheese melted on top.
Making a Panini is also easy as you don’t need many utensils or ingredients to make it with. You will need a chopping board, a knife to cut up your chosen ingredients and a grill to melt the cheese and toast the bread. This is such an easy meal to make for breakfast, lunch or dinner while camping, staying in a hostel or hotel and even at home.
A Panini with bacon, roasted pumpkin, tomato and onion – I think a little Feta would have made it even yummier!
Tomato and Cheese Panini
Notes
Utensils Required
Sharp knife and chopping board
Plate
Cooking Utensils Required
Griller, oven.
You can microwave the panini but the bread won't be crispy.
Ingredients
- Bread of choice - ciabatta, faccacia, baguette
- Tomato paste or sauce
- Tomato
- Grated cheese
- Oil to drizzle
Instructions
- Slice bread horizontally in half
- Smear tomato paste or sauce over each half
- Slice or chop tomato and put on top
- Cover with grated cheese
- Grill until cheese is melted
- Drizzle with oil
- Serve and enjoy
