Caprese Salad Grilled Cheese (Print version)

A vibrant sandwich featuring fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, and a hint of balsamic glaze.

# What You'll Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 4 slices sourdough or Italian bread
02 - 4 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
03 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

→ Vegetables & Herbs

04 - 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
05 - 8 to 10 fresh basil leaves

→ Condiments & Garnish

06 - 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
07 - Salt, to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

01 - Spread softened unsalted butter evenly on one side of each bread slice.
02 - Place two slices of bread butter-side down, then layer with mozzarella slices, tomato slices, and basil leaves. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
03 - Drizzle balsamic glaze over the tomato and basil layers.
04 - Top with remaining bread slices, butter-side up.
05 - Preheat a large nonstick skillet or grill pan over medium heat.
06 - Place sandwiches in the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from the skillet, let rest for 1 minute, then slice in half. Optionally drizzle with extra balsamic glaze and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The balsamic glaze cuts through rich mozzarella like a bright knife
  • Fresh basil transforms an ordinary sandwich into something that feels fancy without the effort
  • Takes twenty minutes but tastes like a Panini from a Milan café
02 -
  • Dont skip the resting period, I learned this the hard way when all my cheese escaped onto the cutting board
  • Pat your tomato slices dry with paper towels if theyre especially juicy, nobody likes soggy bread
  • Medium low heat is better than medium high, burnt bread tastes terrible no matter how good the filling is
03 -
  • Use a cast iron skillet if you have one, the heat distribution creates the most even golden crust
  • Mayo instead of butter sounds weird but creates an even crispier exterior that wont burn as easily
  • Warm your balsamic glaze slightly for ten seconds in the microwave, it drizzles more beautifully
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