The early entries for my Grilled Cheese Pageant have been truly inspiring (have you entered yet?)! You’ll be amazed to see how something as simple as the humble grilled cheese sandwich can be interpreted into so many different delicious incarnations. In keeping with this theme, I’ve decided to make exclusively grilled cheese panini this month (that is, all of the panini I make will be grilled cheese – I will be eating other things too).
If you like goat cheese, my Open-Face Grilled Goat Cheese Panini with Sundried Tomatoes & Herbs are going to be a real treat for you. Slices of creamy, tangy goat cheese, enrobed in fresh herbs, is set atop zesty sundried tomatoes and grilled open-face on the panini press (an oven broiler works great too). I sprinkled some thinly sliced basil on top for even more flavor and some fresh color. As much as I loved this for lunch, I enjoyed it just as much the next day for breakfast (goat cheese is so good!) and I could envision downsizing them for a tasty appetizer sometime too.
Open-Face Grilled Goat Cheese Panini with Sundried Tomatoes & Herbs
Serves 4
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
5 oz. log of goat cheese
4 slices country bread (I used sourdough)
Whole sundried tomatoes, packed in olive oil*
Basil, thinly sliced, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the panini grill to high heat (or set your oven to broil).
Combine thyme, parsley and rosemary in a shallow dish. Roll the goat cheese in the herbs to cover the log – you may want to lightly press in the herbs so they stay on. Draw a piece of dental floss (the non-flavored kind!) or string straight down through the herbed goat cheese to create little round slices (this is much easier and produces cleaner slices than using a knife).
For each open-face sandwich: Place two or three sundried tomatoes, drained of their oil, onto a slice of bread. Top with slices of herbed goat cheese. Place onto the grill (with the lid lowered, but not touching the cheese) or under the broiler until the cheese is softened and the bread is toasted.
Remove from the grill. Garnish with basil. Serve immediately and enjoy!
* Be sure to use sundried tomatoes that have been packed in oil rather than the completely dry ones. The latter may be too chewy to bite through easily on the panini.
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I love goat cheese! I’ve had some in my fridge for the past few days and there is so much I want to make with it that I can’t decide!
I’ve been thinking about doing some type of “quesadilla” but now this is looking pretty tempting…
Maris’s last blog post..Let’s Do Brunch
Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear oh dear.
That looks absolutely SCRUMPTIOUS.
Jordan’s last blog post..Spinach soup and sourdough
That looks so simple, yet so delicious. Love goat cheese, especially when it’s warm and melty.
Cate O’Malley’s last blog post..Deviled Ham Salad Sandwiches
You had me at goat’s cheese. 🙂
Dragon’s last blog post..Savoury and Spicy Pork Button Ribs
although goat cheese isn’t my favorite, i love this simply due to the presence of sun-dried tomatoes. they are magical. 🙂
grace’s last blog post..truffle-upagus
You have a way of combining flavors! This sammich looks yummy.
This looks AMAZING! I just love goat cheese and sun dried tomatoes. I’m actually going to try this recipe on the grill.
Culinary Cory’s last blog post..Stuffed Green Bell Peppers
This makes me wish I lived closer to you:
“exclusively grilled cheese panini this month (that is, all of the panini I make will be grilled cheese”
🙂
nick’s last blog post..Quick and Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies with Easter M&M’s
I never think of open-faced panini, or that you can make them in a panini press. Clever!
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)’s last blog post..Discos (Recipe: empanadas filled with chicken picadillo)
(that is, all of the panini I make will be grilled cheese – I will be eating other things too).
Jeez, I would hope so. 😛
Great take on grilled cheese, round one. I will try to submit an entry next week.
I really need to get a panini press! This sandwich looks awesome and yes, goat cheese rules! You take some great photos. I will definitely have to try this in the near future…
GrilledShane’s last blog post..What?! April is National Grilled Cheese Month?!
I should make this for my sister! And I am so glad you reminded me of the pageant! I almost forgot! I must keep it in my mind. It will be close to the deadline before I enter as I have Easter and my own “Open House” I have to finish up first!
Nicole’s last blog post..Onion Soup – Comfort Food at its Best!
I could so dig into this…it looks totally delish!
HoneyB’s last blog post..Lime, coconut, bananas and Zesty!
So simple and yet so tasty!
Oh this is making me droooooool – it looks fantastic! 🙂
Ashley’s last blog post..Ponzu-Glazed Flank Steak
Mmm…perfect combo of flavors. Love to use tapenade, too. But the goat cheese is my fave. No question.
kellypea’s last blog post..Lamb Shanks Braised with Tomatoes and Herbs
I can taste it from here – it looks amazing!
Pam’s last blog post..Pizza Bread
Oh yes. That is good.
The Duo Dishes’s last blog post..When Life Gives You Lemons
What an awesome combo! Mmm….
justeatfood’s last blog post..Turkey Enchiladas – Or, how we Love our Turkey Leftovers
All my absolute favorite ingredients! This is so delicious! I almost always end up eating my paninis open-faced
gilda’s last blog post..Recipe: Grilled Cheese with Onion Jam, Taleggio, and Escarole