Prepared Mozzarella Paninis Recipe (Includes Video)
Craving a twist on the traditional grilled cheese? Look no further than our mouthwatering mozzarella sandwiches. Inspired by Italian 'Mozzarella in Carrozza', these sandwiches are a feast for your taste buds.
Fresh vs. Low-Moisture Mozzarella: What's the Difference?
Are you unsure about the best type of mozzarella for your sandwich? Fear not! We'll break down the essential differences between fresh and low-moisture mozzarella, and help you make an informed choice.
Fresh Mozzarella
Often found in balls or logs, fresh mozzarella is a soft and tender cheese with a high water content, making it a breeze to tear apart. Due to its high humidity, it has a shorter shelf life than low-moisture mozzarella. Fresh mozzarella is a crowd-pleaser, not just for these sandwiches, but also in caprese salad, herb and garlic marinated concoctions, or as a rich topping for pasta bakes.
Low-Moisture Mozzarella
With comparatively less water, this mozzarella has a firmer, almost rubbery texture. While fresh mozzarella is famed for its milky, clean taste, it's the low-moisture variety that excels at delivering the stretchiest, meltiest mozzarella moments. As such, it's the go-to option for lasagna recipes, eggplant or chicken Parmesan, pizza, and meatball subs.
When dipping your sandwiches in the egg mixture, remember to do so quickly to prevent the bread from absorbing too much liquid, resulting in a soggy sandwich.
Ingredients and Directions for Grilled Mozzarella Sandwiches
Bread: Select a firm white sandwich bread with a good texture and structure to support the sandwich's filling. Although we love them, enriched breads like tender brioche or Japanese milk bread may be too soft for this recipe and won't hold up well.
Fresh Mozzarella: For optimal results, opt for buffalo mozzarella, fiore de latte, or any fresh mozzarella that comes in a container of milky-looking whey. If you don't have access to that, tightly-wrapped mozzarella without liquid will work as well. Cut the cheese into thin slices for even coverage.
Eggs: Two eggs are all you'll need for this recipe. Eliminate eggshell fragments by carefully removing them with a cracked eggshell instead of using your fingers.
Heavy cream: With its richness, half a cup of heavy cream will give your egg mixture a decadent flavor. Light cream or half-and-half, which contain less fat, are not recommended as they can lead to a soggy sandwich.
Thyme: Fresh thyme leaves will add a pleasing herbal element to the recipe, though 1/4 teaspoon of dried thyme can be used as a substitute if fresh thyme is unavailable.
Nutmeg: This subtle, warm spice infuses its delicate flavor into the savory, creamy sandwich. Though grating it yourself provides the best taste, pre-ground nutmeg is acceptable as well.
Butter and olive oil: A mixture of butter and olive oil will perfectly crisp up the sandwiches, enhancing their flavor. Butter contributes a delightful taste, while olive oil prevents the butter from burning.
Recipe steps:
- Layer cheese with bread and remove crusts: Place the mozzarella on 4 slices of bread and cover with remaining slices to form sandwiches. Trim crusts off to create neat 4-inch squares.
- Whisk eggs, add cream and seasonings: In a shallow wide bowl, beat the eggs. Incorporate the cream, thyme leaves, salt, and nutmeg, whisking everything together until well-blended.
- Heat olive oil, add butter; dip 2 sandwiches and cook: In a non-stick saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter until sizzling. Dip 2 sandwiches in the egg mixture, turning to coat, then place in the pan and cook until golden brown on the first side (about 2 minutes).
- Cook second side; repeat with other 2 sandwiches: Flip over and brown on the other side. Transfer the sandwiches to individual plates, then repeat the process with the remaining olive oil, butter, and 2 sandwiches. Cut in half, and serve immediately.
Variations
Experiment with different flavors by swapping out smoked fresh mozzarella for the regular cheese, or using an equal amount of finely chopped rosemary leaves in place of thyme.
Pairings and Additional Recipes
No sandwich would be complete without a side, so be sure to try our classic Caesar or tangy radicchio salad. For a heartier option, choose our roasted red pepper salad with white beans or our white bean and tomato salad. Indulge in a sweet finale with some store-bought gelato or homemade ice cream, drizzled with olive oil or scooped with a dash of olive oil—trust us, it works!
Explore More Fresh Mozzarella Recipes:
- Baked Spaghetti and Mozzarella
- Grilled Chicken, Eggplant, Tomatoes, Mozzarella
- Prosciutto Mozzarella Pizza
- Meatball Casserole
- Cantaloupe, Mozzarella, Prosciutto, and Basil
Martha Stewart recommends grilled mozzarella sandwiches for a twist on traditional cheese recipes. Sandwich recipes that use this method are a crowd-pleaser, and our grilled mozzarella sandwiches are no exception. These sandwiches, inspired by Italian 'Mozzarella in Carrozza', offer a delicious variation of the classic grilled cheese.
If you're unsure about the best type of mozzarella for your sandwich, we recommend exploring both fresh and low-moisture mozzarella recipes. Fresh mozzarella recipes result in a softer, tender cheese, while low-moisture mozzarella produces a firmer texture. The choice between these two options depends on your preference and the dish you're creating.
To make the perfect grilled mozzarella sandwich, follow our comprehensive recipe that includes ingredients like bread, fresh mozzarella, eggs, heavy cream, thyme, nutmeg, butter, olive oil, and our detailed cooking instructions.
Experiment with different flavors by swapping out smoked fresh mozzarella for the regular cheese, or using fresh rosemary leaves in place of thyme. For additional recipes that use fresh mozzarella, try our baked spaghetti and mozzarella, prosciutto mozzarella pizza, or meatball casserole. Complete your meal with a tangy radicchio salad, roasted red pepper salad with white beans, or a sweet finale like homemade gelato drizzled with olive oil.
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