Bacon, Pesto, & Tomato Panini

The Hubs got me a Panini Maker for christmas and I couldn't have been more excited!!! I have wanted one of these suckers for quite sometime now!  I couldn't wait to get my hands on some good sandwich grub so I could whip up some awesome paninis.

This was the first Panini that I made (so please excuse the lovely photo) but it was oh so good!  I saw a recipe similar to this one on Pinterest and knew at once I had to give it a shot.

Recipe:

2 slices Jewish Rye Bread

4 slices of Bacon

4 thin slices of Tomato

1-2 slices of Smoked Gouda

Pesto

Mayo

and Olive Oil for brushing on the outside of the Bread

Heat your Panini Press to medium-high heat while you prepare the sandwich.  Cook the bacon till crisp then blot with a paper towel to absorb any excess grease.  Lightly brush olive oil on the outside of both slices of bread.  Spread a thin layer of mayo on each side of the bread.

Then spread a generous layer of Pesto on both pieces of bread. (you can use homemade or storebought Pesto. I used storebought and it was delicious)

Place the cheese on the bottom layer of bread then stack on the bacon and tomatoes, season lightly with salt and pepper, then top with the final piece of bread.  Place on the panini grill and cook for 4 minutes or until you have nice sear marks on the bread.  Serve with a pickle and some chips or fresh fruit or veggies.  Enjoy!