Sometimes the most straightforward and easy recipes are the best, mainly when it comes to panini sandwiches.
The secret of tasty, restaurant-quality panini is making sure it’s toasty and steamy. To achieve this, use a panini grill or a heavy cast-iron skillet. You want your ciabatta bread really crispy.
Today I’m showing you how I make a panini with all the essences of the Mediterranean. It’s filling and satisfying but, at the same time, light and healthy.
I used feta cheese, which I love for its salty, briny flavor and crumbly texture, and fresh spinach leaves, which are super healthy and pleasantly bitter. Let’s face it; we don’t eat as many leafy greens as we should!
I like to add a whole layer of roasted bell peppers, the pickled ones to give a crunch, and a briny kick to my sandwich. I also love to add a hefty amount of mozzarella cheese; it melts beautifully and gives the panini a lovely personality.
Today’s secret ingredient, though, is the ajvar spread. If you’ve never heard of it before, let me explain. Ajvar is a famous Balkan sauce that reminds me of home.
It’s made of roasted bell peppers, olive oil and sometimes eggplants, tomatoes and hot red peppers; there are many variations. Ajvar is slightly sweet yet savory, spicy, but comforting; it’s hard to explain! You must try it.
Ajvar is widely available online, and trust me, you’ll find many uses for it, from spreading it on bread, to using it as a side for grilled meat.
A pretty decent substitute is Trader Joe’s Red Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic. Just one spread of this and your panini will transform in front of your eyes into a gourmet, super-satisfying lunch.
Did you know?
Did you know the ciabatta was created relatively recently? It was created in 1982 by an Italian baker in Verona to compete with the French baguette. Similar, but not identical, the Italian version is denser and more substantial, perfect for a hearty sandwich.
Let’s get started!
Panini Sandwiches are an act of love and are proof that you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to show someone you care.
A good Mediterranean Panini Sandwich is also a way to treat yourself and create some proper eating habits. Once you get the hang of it, choose your veggies and cheese for your own versions. For panini, the sky’s the limit!
PrintMediterranean Panini Sandwich
Ingredients
2 tbsp of red pepper & eggplant spread
Roasted red pepper from a jar (enough to make one layer)
2 tbsp of feta cheese
Handful of spinach leaves
3 slices of mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat the panini grill according to the manufacturers directions. If you don’t have a panini maker you can make this sandwich in a cast iron skillet and use a pan lid to press the sandwich. Slice ciabatta bread horizontally and then place the bottom slice on the panini grill. Spread vegetable spread, place red roasted peppers, sprinkle with feta, put spinach over feta and then put mozzarella slices on top. Cover with the other half of ciabatta bread. Lightly brash the outside of the bread with olive oil. Press the sandwich and cook for 5-6 minutes or until the bread is crisp and mozzarella melted.
May I highly suggest you make it on Homemade Ciabatta Bread.
