Gourmet Italian Grilled Cheese with Pesto

Gourmet Italian Grilled Cheese with Pesto

Ingredients:

For the Pesto:

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup pine nuts

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Grilled Cheese:

4 slices Tuscan or sourdough bread

6 tablespoons butter, softened

3 ounces Fontina cheese, thinly sliced

3 ounces Provolone cheese, thinly sliced

2 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped

3 ounces roasted red peppers, drained and sliced

8 ounces ricotta cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Zest of 1/2 lemon

Instructions:

To make the pesto, combine the basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. With the food processor running, slowly add the olive oil until the pesto is smooth. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Set aside.

In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, chopped parsley, and lemon zest. Set aside.

Spread one side of each slice of bread with softened butter.

Place two slices of bread, butter side down, on a clean surface. Spread each slice with a layer of pesto.

Layer the Fontina cheese, Provolone cheese, prosciutto, sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted red peppers on top of the pesto.

Spread the ricotta mixture on the other two slices of bread, then place them on top of the assembled sandwiches, butter side up.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown and crispy on the bottom, about 3-4 minutes.

Carefully flip the sandwiches with a spatula and cook until the other side is golden brown and the cheese is melted, another 3-4 minutes.

Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and let them cool for a minute before slicing and serving.

Serve the Gourmet Italian Grilled Cheese with Pesto hot, and enjoy its delicious flavors!