Courtesy: Georgia Pecan Commission

Panini are Italian sandwiches, generally pressed and pan-grilled, made with a variety of fillings, especially leftovers. While a panini-maker or grill pan is ideal for their preparation, this breakfast version, which pairs nutty pecans with a classic morning-food mixture of eggs, onions, cheese, and sausage, can also be cooked in a standard skillet.

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Breakfast Panini with Pecans

Prep time: 

Cook time: 

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Serves: 4

Calories: 544

Ingredients
  • 1 tsp. butter, plus more for bread
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 4 fully-cooked breakfast sausages (thawed if frozen), chopped
  • ½ cup chopped Georgia pecan halves
  • 4 large eggs, well beaten
  • 8 thick slices Italian bread
  • 4 ounces yellow cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
Instructions
  1. In non-stick skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
  2. Add the onions, sausages, and pecans; sauté until onions are just softened—about 3 minutes.
  3. Add eggs and cook, stirring constantly, until eggs are firm but not dry.
  4. Transfer sausage mixture to plate.
  5. Heat a panini maker or a grill pan over medium-high heat.
  6. To make four panini, divide sausage mixture into 4 portions.
  7. Mound each portion on one slice of bread.
  8. Top each with one ounce of cheddar, then a slice of the remaining bread.
  9. Very lightly butter the outside of each panini.
  10. Cook in batches in panini maker until both sides of each panini are golden; serve promptly. Or, if using a grill pan or skillet, cook two panini at a time, placing a heavy skillet or heat-proof dish on top to weight down panini as they cook.
  11. When golden on bottom, turn panini over and grill other side until golden; serve warm.
Notes
Nutrition information per panini (using a total of 2 tablespoons butter for all four servings) – calories: 544; protein: 26g; carbs: 35g; saturated fat: 12g; monounsaturated: 14g; polyunsaturated fat: 5g; cholesterol: 273 mg; fiber: 3g; sodium: 811 mg.