Roasted Vegetable Panini Sandwich with Feta Cheese Recipe
A hearty and flavorful option for a quick and healthy dinner, this Roasted Vegetable Panini Sandwich with Feta Cheese combines the richness of grilled vegetables and creamy feta, balanced with a zesty homemade basil pesto. Served in crusty Panini bread, it makes for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a picnic.
Cuisine: Continental
Course: Main Course
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Panini Bread | 3, sliced in half lengthwise |
| Green Zucchini | 2, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices |
| Red Bell Pepper (Capsicum) | 2, thinly sliced |
| Tomatoes | 2, thinly sliced into rounds |
| Red Onion | 2, cut into onion rings |
| Feta Cheese | As needed, drained and sliced |
| Homemade Basil Pesto | 1/2 cup |
| Tabasco Original Hot Sauce | To taste (optional for spice) |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste |
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 48 minutes
Servings: 3-4
Instructions
Step 1: Roast or Grill the Vegetables
Start by preparing the roasted vegetables. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a wok over medium heat. Add the sliced red bell peppers along with a pinch of salt. Stir fry the peppers, covering the pan, until they are softened and lightly roasted. Once cooked, remove the peppers from the pan and set them aside.
In the same wok, add a teaspoon of olive oil and toss in the sliced zucchini. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and stir fry on high heat until the zucchini is tender and slightly roasted, but still firm. Since the zucchini will also be grilled later with the Panini, donโt worry if it’s a little firm at this stage. Set the zucchini aside to cool along with the roasted peppers.
Step 2: Assemble the Panini Sandwiches
Once the roasted vegetables are cool, it’s time to assemble the sandwiches. Slice the Panini bread lengthwise, laying both halves flat on your workspace. Spread a generous layer of basil pesto on both sides of the bread.
On the bottom half of each sandwich, begin layering the vegetables: start with the roasted zucchini slices, followed by the red bell peppers, onion rings, and fresh tomato rounds. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle a little Tabasco sauce if you’d like some extra heat. Finally, add slices of feta cheese on top to complete the filling.
Place the top half of the Panini bread on the assembled sandwich and gently press down with your palm to hold everything in place. Repeat the process for the remaining sandwiches. At this point, you can either wrap the sandwiches in parchment paper and refrigerate them for later use or proceed with grilling them immediately.
Step 3: Grill the Sandwiches
To grill, heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly grease the pan with olive oil. Brush the top of each sandwich with a little oil or butter and place the buttered side down onto the heated grill pan. Press the sandwich down with a spatula or Panini press to ensure nice grill marks form on the bread.
Grill the sandwich for about a minute before flipping it over to grill the other side. Continue grilling until both sides are golden and crispy, and the cheese has started to melt.
Alternatively, you can use a Panini press, which will make grilling even easier and more efficient.
Step 4: Serve
Once the sandwiches are grilled to perfection, remove them from the pan and let them rest for a minute before serving. These Roasted Vegetable Panini Sandwiches with Feta Cheese pair beautifully with a refreshing green chutney (Dhaniya Pudina Chutney), a dollop of creamy mayonnaise, or even a bowl of quick creamy pea soup for a wholesome dinner. You can also serve them alongside a simple salad for a complete meal.
Tips for the Perfect Roasted Vegetable Panini:
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and high-quality feta cheese will elevate the flavor of your sandwich. If you can, opt for organic produce for the best taste and texture.
- Add a Crunch: If you like a bit of extra crunch in your Panini, try adding some roasted nuts or seeds to the sandwich filling. Theyโll complement the creamy feta and roasted vegetables wonderfully.
- Customize the Heat: The Tabasco sauce is optional, depending on your preferred spice level. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, feel free to skip it or use a milder hot sauce.
- Grilling Alternatives: If you donโt have a grill pan or a Panini press, you can also use a regular skillet. Just press down on the sandwich using a heavy object, like a cast-iron pot or a clean brick wrapped in foil, to help create grill-like marks.
Enjoy the simplicity and deliciousness of this Roasted Vegetable Panini Sandwich with Feta Cheese โ a perfect blend of healthy ingredients and bold flavors wrapped up in crispy, golden bread!
