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–+ servings

Portobello Panini Recipe for Two

This vegetarian recipe for two features hearty portobello mushrooms, fontina cheese, and roasted red peppers layered between crusty bread with a garlic-rosemary mayo for a rich, savory bite. It's a cozy and satisfying sandwich that delivers gourmet flavors without the need for a panini press.
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Total Time 40 minutes
Course Sandwich
Cuisine Italian-inspired
Servings 2

Equipment

  • 12-inch nonstick grill pan or skillet
  • Dutch oven or a heavy pot for pressing

Ingredients
  

  • 3 large portobello mushroom caps halved
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • ¼ teaspoon table salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 4 slices crusty bread ½-inch thick
  • 4 ounces fontina cheese shredded (1 cup)
  • ¼ cup jarred roasted red peppers rinsed, patted dry, and sliced ½ inch thick

Instructions
 

  • Sauté Mushrooms: Heat a 12-inch nonstick grill pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes, until water droplets sizzle on contact. Toss the halved mushrooms with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange them gill side up in the hot pan, then press down using a Dutch oven. Let them brown thoroughly, around 5 minutes per side. Once cooked, remove them from the pan and set aside. Clean the pan.
  • Prepare Spread and Assemble Sandwiches: In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, garlic, and rosemary. Spread this mixture onto one side of each slice of bread. Assemble two sandwiches by layering ingredients in this order: one slice of bread with mayo side in, half of the shredded cheese, the cooked mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and the remaining cheese. Top with the second slice of bread, also mayo side in, and gently press together.
  • Grill Panini: Reheat the cleaned pan for a minute over medium heat. Brush the outer sides of the sandwiches with the remaining olive oil. Place the sandwiches into the pan, weigh them down with the Dutch oven, and cook until the bread is golden and crisp, and the cheese has melted—about 4 minutes per side. Flip halfway through for even cooking. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • If you don’t have a grill pan, a regular 12-inch nonstick skillet will work just fine.
  • Choose a rustic, wide loaf of bread rather than baguettes to allow for better layering and grill marks.
  • Wrapping the base of your Dutch oven with foil makes post-cooking cleanup easier.
Keyword easy gourmet panini, panini recipe with mushrooms, portobello mushroom sandwich, recipes for two, recipes for two vegetarian, romantic dinner sandwich idea
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