Hard Pressed for Dinner Ideas? Marlow's Tavern Panini to the Rescue

During the summer months when the sun doesn't set until later, dinnertime can sneak up on you. Thankfully, Marlow's Tavern has a stay-cool menu of dishes and drinks and nine locations - including the newest location in Dunwoody. Always a good neighbor, Marlow's Tavern is glad to share its recipe for grilled chicken panini, a simple summer classic that will get dinner on the table fast and keep the cook cool as a cucumber.

Marlow's Tavern Grilled Chicken Panini

Serves 2

Ingredients:      

1 loaf focaccia bread     

2 grilled chicken breasts

4 slices fresh mozzarella

2 tbsp. basil aioli (see recipe below)

2 sliced fresh Roma tomatoes     

1/2 cup fresh spinach    

Method:

Evenly season each chicken breast with salt and pepper and grill chicken breasts until cooked through. Cut focaccia loaf in half to make two sandwiches. Spread both sides of each sandwich with one tablespoon of basil aioli. Build each sandwich from the bottom up, layering the ingredients in the following order: ¼ cup spinach, tomato slices, grilled chicken and two mozzarella slices. Place sandwich in panini press for 60 seconds or until lightly toasted. Alternatively, grill in a hot skillet until toasted and heated through.

Basil Aioli

Ingredients:      

12 fresh basil leaves

½ tsp. garlic, chopped   

1 scallion, chopped        

1/8 cup olive oil

1 cup mayonnaise         

Salt and pepper 

Method:

Place all ingredients (except for mayonnaise) into blender or food processor and blend on high speed until puréed. Place puréed mixture into a mixing bowl and fold in mayonnaise until combined.