BBQ Pork/Cheese Panini

I originally had this post ready to use for the May Crazy Cooking Challenge. But I found a better recipe. This one is still good so I will share it with you.

The recipe I chose was from Authentic Suburban Gourmet. She mentions that this is a good way to use leftovers. Looking at the ingredients I knew I had just the right ones.

Panini with Roasted Pork, Caramelized Onions, Cheddar and Bacon 


Ingredients:

Ciabatta Loaf
Roasted Pork Tenderloin
Caramelized Onions
Cheddar Cheese
Crispy Bacon
Olive Oil

For each sandwich, cut about a 5 inch slice of ciabatta bread and then slice in half to open it up. Remove some of the excess bread if desired. Brush each outer side of the bread with olive oil. Start on the bottom slice by adding a slice of cheddar cheese, then several thin slices of pork tenderloin, then about 3 or 4 slices of the bacon and top with caramelized onions.

Place onto a panini pan or press. Cook for about 5 to 8 minutes until all ingredients are hot inside and the bread is crispy. Enjoy!


I actually didn't follow the recipe exactly. I used it as a base for my own creation. I know a little outside the box (especially for me) but I got a little lazy and didn't want to spend the time carmelizing onions or cooking bacon. Plus she said use it for leftovers and that would have meant I had to cook something more. We had some shredded BBQ pork in the freezer that we had made ages ago and we really needed to use. I also had a cute little ciabbatta loaf from Walmart (yes I shop there...don't judge me). It was the kind you cook in the oven and just the right size for us.


The loaf size was perfect for two sandwiches. I cut the bread in half and put my cheese (sharp Provolone not cheddar because once again I used what was on hand) on the bottom. I then scooped out some of the top (because it was already almost empty) and spread a little BBQ sauce on it. Then I added some heated up pork. After I put the sandwich together I put the olive oil on one side and put it on my George Foreman grill (it is perfect for this) and then oiled the other side. It only took about 3 minutes for the cheese to melt.

The result was a delicious panini. The bread was super crispy and smooshed just right. My only problem was that the cheese wasn't flavorful enough for the sandwich, but that was my fault. Half a sandwich was enough for myself and my husband so we have leftovers.


I will definitely use this method for making paninis again. The oil on the outside really helped crisp the bread up.