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BlogRecipes
Elizabeth Poett's Pesto Caprese Sandwiches with Balsamic Glaze

Pesto Caprese Sandwiches with Balsamic Glaze

byElizabeth Poett
Total 45 mins, includes cooling time
Active 45 mins
Makes 4 sandwiches
Siblings don't always agree, but my kids agree wholeheartedly that this is the best sandwich! The classic combination of mozzarella, tomato, and basil is delicious, and the balsamic glaze adds a sweet tang.
Ingredients
Glaze
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
Pesto
  • 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves (from about 2 bunches)
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
Sandwiches
  • 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
  • 4 ciabatta rolls
  • 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
  • 4 Early Girl tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves
    Directions
    1. To make the glaze: Combine the vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to medium and let simmer for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the volume has been reduced by half. Set aside to cool in a heat-proof container.
    2. To make the pesto: Place the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, and salt in a food processor. Pulse for about 1 minute, until the ingredients look chopped. Add the olive oil and blitz until smooth.
    3. To make the sandwiches: Use the butter to grease a skillet.
    4. Cut a roll in half horizontally and slather 2 tablespoons of pesto onto each side. Layer mozzarella over the pesto on the bottom half of the roll. Layer tomatoes over the cheese. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of glaze over the cheese. Cover with basil leaves, and close the sandwich with the top of the roll. Repeat with each roll.
    5. Warm the skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cover with a lid. The goal is to lightly brown both sides of the sandwich and melt the cheese. This takes about 3 minutes of cooking time on each side. Remove the sandwiches from the skillet, cut in half, and serve warm.

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