Brick Paninis: Turkey & Roasted Red Pepper, Pimento & Bacon

Ingredients

• 8 slices (1/2 inch thick) rustic white bread, such as sourdough
• 1 loaf ciabatta, sliced in half lengthwise
• 1 large garlic clove, halved
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, melted

Turkey & Roasted Red Pepper

• 2 tablespoons pesto, homemade (see recipe below) or store-bought
• 1 pound sliced deli roast turkey
• One 12-ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 8 slices Fontina or provolone cheese

Pimiento & Bacon

• 1 1/3 cups pimiento cheese
• 8 to 12 slices bacon, cooked

Pesto:

• 3 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Heat a large skillet or panini press over medium-low heat.
2. Rub the raw garlic clove over both sides of the bread and lightly brush the bread with melted butter.
3. Turkey & roasted pepper panini: Spread 1/2 tablespoon of the pesto on each of the 4 slices of bread.
4. Layer on the turkey, roasted peppers, and cheese and top with remaining 4 slices of bread.
5. Wrap a brick tightly in foil. Place a single sandwich in the skillet and weigh down the sandwich with the brick while it cooks through, 3 to 4 minutes per side, returning the brick to the sandwich after you flip it.
6. Slice and serve the sandwiches.
7. Pimiento & bacon panini: Evenly spread about 1/3 cup pimiento cheese on 1 slice of buttered sourdough bread.
8. Top with 2-3 slices of cooked bacon.
9. Top with the remaining slice of buttered sourdough bread.
10. Wrap a brick tightly in foil. Place a single sandwich in the skillet and weigh down the sandwich with the brick while it cooks through, 3 to 4 minutes per side, returning the brick to the sandwich after you flip it.
11. Slice and serve the sandwiches.

Pesto:

1. In a food processor, combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. Pulse until roughly chopped, 10 to 15 seconds.
2. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until well combined, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Add the Parmesan, salt, and pepper and mix until just incorporated.
4. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month.

Adapted from “Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering, Volume 2” by Joanna Gaines © William Morrow 2020. Provided courtesy of Joanna Gaines. All rights reserved.Recipe courtesy of Joanna Gaines