three-cheese & tomato melt

Gooey and scrumptious,  three-cheese & tomato melt is the perfect comfort food.  It is the ultimate grilled cheese sandwich with its flavors of melted cheeses, tomato, and basil. Enjoy it on a cool day with tomato soup or on a warm day with a lightly dressed salad.  

                                                 three-cheese & tomato melt
                                                              adapted from
                                                                   panini
                                                           Melanie Barnard

Ingredients
Crusty country-style bread,
   4 slices, each about 1/2" thick
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons garlic-and-herb
   cheese spread
2 ounces mozzarella cheese,
   thinly sliced
2 ounces provolone cheese,
   thinly sliced
Ripe but firm tomato,
   4 thin slices
6 large fresh basil leaves

Directions

Preheat the sandwich grill. Place the bread slices on a work surface and brush 1 side of each with the olive oil. Turn and spread the unoiled sides with the herbed-cheese, dividing it evenly. On each of 2 slices, layer one-fourth of the mozzarella, then one-fourth of the provolone, 2 tomato slices, and 3 basil leaves. Divide the remaining mozzarella and provolone on top. Place the remaining 2 bread slices on top,  herbed-cheese sides down, and press to pack gently.

Place the panini in the grill,  close the top plate, and cook until the bread is golden and toasted and the cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes. Cut each sandwich in half on the diagonal and serve right away.

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