Balsamic and Herb Marinated Portobello Mushroom Paninis

J had a long Denver overnight yesterday so we were able to enjoy good food, a funny movie, and a suspenseful evening of schedule manipulation for his employment next month. :P

The dinner: Paninis! I love making paninis and was really sad the last time I tried to make a grilled cheese with my panini maker and could not find the plates. Needless to say, J came to the rescue and found them, so here's our first recipe (served with salad greens and J's Famous Sweet Iced Tea).

Ingredients:
1 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh chopped basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup olive oil
2 portobello mushroom caps
Crusty, thick wheat bread, sliced on the thicker side
Fresh mozarella (usually found packaged in a ball-form)
A handful of spinach or greens
Sweet-spicy peppers, chopped (I find this at the antipasto/olive station at the grocery. The nice thing about this is if you only need a few peppers that is all you take and pay for. You are not buying a gigantic jar that will go bad.)
Olive oil for greasing the panini maker

In a small shallow dish, combine the balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil so that is combines forming your marinade viniagarette. Marinate the portobello mushrooms in the mixture for an hour.

Drain and then grill or lightly saute the mushroom caps. You want them to be heated and cooked but not limp. I actually cut my mushroom caps in half because the bakery bread was not very large.

Cut the wheat bread in thick slices and preheat the panini maker (I make my sandwiches on medium-high). While the panini grill is warming up place the slices of bread down. On half of them place the cooked mushroom and on the corresponding half add the cheese, a few spinach leaves, and the peppers. Close the sandwich by placing the half with the portobello mushroom on top. Oil the grill with olive oil, place the sandwiches on it and hold the panini press down hard for 30 seconds. Allow to cook for 4-5 minutes or until heated through and cheese has melted. Enjoy!