Ingredients
Baguette or hoagie roll
4 slice fresh mozzarella cheese (Sold at delis and upscale grocery stores, sometimes in a tub of water to help it stay fresh.)
5 fresh basil leaves
1/2 tomato
salt
Pepper
olive oil
Preparation
Step 1Grab the bottom half of the bread and drizzle on about 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Then sprinkle the bread with as many basil leaves as you like, plus fresh mozzarella, tomato slices, and a dash each of salt and pepper. Top the ingredients with another teaspoon’s worth of olive oil, drizzled all over. Put on the top piece of bread.Step 2Pour just enough olive oil into the skillet to lightly cover the pan. Heat over a medium burner until the oil is shimmering, but not smoking.Step 3Now the fun part! Put the sandwich in the skillet and weigh it down with the heavy pot or pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes.Step 4Remove the heavy pot or pan, flip the sandwich over (you may need to add a bit more olive oil to the pan), and weigh it down again. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese is melting and oozing out the sides. Turn off the stove and enjoy your hot panini.
