Grilled Turkey Asparagus Pesto Paninis

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• pesto:
• 2 cups chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• panini:
• 8 fresh asparagus spears, trimmed, or more to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 slices soft oatmeal bread (such as pepperidge farm®)
• 4 slices provolone cheese
• 1/4 pound sliced deli turkey meat

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• blend basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender until smooth, scraping down sides as needed. add pine nuts and pulse just until pine nuts are chopped, but still visible.
• preheat grill for medium-low heat and lightly oil the grate.
• cook asparagus on the preheated grill directly on the grate or on a grill pan until tender, 5 to 10 minutes.
• spread 1 1/2 teaspoons butter onto 1 side of each bread slice. spread desired amount of pesto onto the opposite side of each bread slice. layer provolone cheese and turkey on the pesto-side of 2 bread slices; top with a second bread slice, pesto-side down.
• place sandwiches directly on the grill and cook until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 6 minutes per side. remove from grill and cut each sandwich in half.