Grilled Cheese with Pesto

Some of the best recipes are the ones that you can't remember where it came from and you don't need to look at a recipe to make it.

Grilled Mozzarella & Pesto Sandwiches

Serves: about 4 sandwiches (2 people)- obviously easy to alter

Ingredients:

Prepared Pesto

Crusty Store Baked Bread (like you find in the bakery section- I used day old bread that was only $1)

Fresh mozzarella cheese
Olive oil

Directions:
1- Slice bread & mozzarella cheese.
2- Preheat saute pan, grill or panini press.
3- Spread a thin layer of pesto on one side of a piece of bread.  Add a slice of mozzarella cheese.  Top with another slice of bread.
4- Use a basting brush to apply olive oil to the toasting sides of the bread.
5- Cook over medium heat until golden brown.
6- Serve warm!

*Note, leftover mozzarella cheese can easily be frozen in a ziploc bag and used for another meal.  Like perhaps in this yummy dish!

Mozzarella & Pepperoni Ciabatta Sandwiches

Heavenly & perfect for a weeknight!

Fresh Mozzarella & Pepperoni Sandwiches
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1/4 c olive oil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp kosher salt
4 Ciabatta or Portuguese Rolls, rustic style bread would also work
8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
7 oz package turkey pepperoni (I use about 9-10 slices/sandwich)

Directions:
Preheat oven to about 400 degrees F.
In a small bowl, mix together first 5 ingredients.
Slice rolls & brush inside of the rolls with the mixture.
Leave them open faced on a foil-lined cookie sheet.
Place 2 oz of the sliced mozzarella on each of one side of sandwiches.
Place about 9-10 slices of turkey pepperoni on the other side of the sandwich.
Put in the oven and bake about 10-15 minutes or until bread is slightly browned at edges and cheese is melty.
Slice in half and serve.
*You could also prepare this in a panini press, but I don't have that so this way works just as well for me!
**Also, I was thinking you could make this on a french bagette, slice and then serve as party food.

YUM!
NI: 562 cals, 29 g fat, 58 mg chol, 1,290 mg sodium, 49 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 24 g protein