Home Dinner Mini Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Mini Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

by Ann
11 comments

Mini Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

I’ve been eyeing all the beautiful Caprese sandwiches online for so long, waiting for the day when I had a fresh garden tomato to make one.


So I have a funny story to tell you. Last fall I had a potted tomato plant that wasn’t finished making tomatoes when the frost came. I brought it inside so the tomatoes could keep growing on the vine. It kept growing all winter long and I kept watering it … I mean, why not? It was a beautiful thriving houseplant. And when the days started getting longer, it started blooming. I didn’t have any bees to pollinate the flowers, so I tried hand-pollinating the flowers with my fingers.

The most amazing thing happened. Two tomatoes actually started growing! One of them has already ripened. It was pretty small and ugly and kind of dense and tough … but when I cut it open? Oh my … it put the store-bought tomatoes to shame. It had so much flavor it almost tasted like a sundried tomato.

A fresh tomato from my tomato plant ... in May!

So I decided it was time to give the Caprese Grilled sandwich a try. I had to supplement my little fresh tomato pieces with some store-bought tomato slices, but oh man, these sandwiches are to die for.

I think these little Caprese sammies would go well with either a soup or salad on the side. I had mine with a cup of mixed fruit topped with a few toasted walnuts. (I had SUCH a hard time waiting to eat them …)

Mini Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Mini Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

  • French rolls (or french bread), sliced thin
  • Pesto (I used the Basil Lime Pesto I made last summer and froze)
  • Fresh tomato, sliced thin
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Sliced or shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • Butter or light butter spread

Directions:

  1. Spread one side of each slice of bread with a very thin layer of pesto.
  2. Add a thin slice of mozzarella or sprinkle on a thin layer of shredded cheese.
  3. Cover the cheese with tomato slices, then basil leaves.
  4. Add another slice of mozzarella or shredded cheese.
  5. Top with a slice of bread (pesto side in).
  6. Butter the outside of the sandwiches lightly.
  7. Preheat a skillet pan coated with cooking spray over medium heat.
  8. Turn the heat down to medium low and carefully place the little sandwiches in the pan. Cover and cook for a few minutes, then check to see if the bottom side is golden brown yet. Carefully flip the sandwiches to toast the other side, then cover and cook until the other side  is golden brown.
  9. Serve immediately and revel in the deliciousness.

Mini Caprese Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Can you tell which tomato piece is the home-grown one and which one came from the store?

(And yeah, I know … it’s so definitely time to ditch the purple nail polish.)

This recipe was shared at Sweet & Simple SundaysTastetastic Thursdays, Moosewood Monday and Newlyweds Recipe Linky.

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11 comments

Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips May 1, 2012 - 6:30 pm

The sandwiches look fabulous, but I am ready to dive into your colorful fruit salad 🙂

Reply
Michele May 1, 2012 - 6:48 pm

Dear, dear Ann, apparently there is no end to your awesomeness! Just gotta love it… the little tomato that could!!! 🙂

Reply
Ann May 1, 2012 - 7:00 pm

I know, right? I’m just so amazed at my luck sometimes 🙂

Reply
raquelerecipe May 1, 2012 - 9:10 pm

I think it’s time for me to grow some tomatoes like you did, I have a little place here that I know it is good space for a little garden, your tomato looks cute. =)

Reply
Ann May 2, 2012 - 10:27 am

I never get very many tomatoes, but the ones I get are just AMAZING! I hope you do grow some of your own. It’s so worth it.

Reply
Tara May 2, 2012 - 3:15 pm

Love the story of your tomato plant! I had one self-seed from my compost and I left that puppy right there. It has 2 little green tomatoes on it. YAY! This sounds so good and I will be making it when my little green tomatoes turn red. :0)

Reply
Ann May 2, 2012 - 3:44 pm

Oh how cool is that? I love it when plants just volunteer to grow … and these little sandwiches will be the perfect use for your little tomatoes! 🙂

Reply
chindeep3141 May 6, 2012 - 9:52 am

another must try! 🙂

Reply
Ann May 6, 2012 - 11:44 am

Yay! You’re going to love them … They are SO yummy! 🙂

Reply
10 Creative Ways to Serve Caprese Salad | Yummly August 22, 2012 - 1:11 pm

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