Copy-Cat Zupas Chicken Pesto Panini

I lived in Utah from 2003- 2012. I had eaten at this place called "Cafe Zupas" It is so yummy! My fav sandwich is the Chicken Pesto Panini! I now live in the Vegas area, and was unable to eat there until recently. They just opened one in Henderson. I wanted to make the sandwich and so I googled it and came across.. this website: http://bakingwithblondie.blogspot.com/
and so here it is:

I dont like cheese or tomatoes so I left it out. But here is the recipe:

Zupas Chicken Pesto Sandwiches Copycat Recipe:

makes 4 sandwiches

 4 ciabatta rolls, sliced in half 

1 large tomato, stem removed, sliced (I left this out)

 about a cup of alfalfa sprouts 

4 slices muenster cheese (I left this out)

1 chicken breast, cooked, cubed 

1 roasted red pepper (I used the ones from the jar = easiest), sliced into small cubes 

1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted

 1 batch of my homemade basil pesto sauce (recipe below) 

1 cup real mayonnaise  

In a bowl, mix together chicken breast, roasted red pepper, slivered almonds, basil pesto, and mayo until just combined. 

Slightly broil your ciabatta rolls in the oven so they're warm and a teeny bit crispy (or, if you're one of those people with a panini-maker... use the heck outta that thing after assembling the sandwich).

I used my George Foreman grill!

Heres the Video of her making it on a local Utah show:

http://studio5.ksl.com/?nid=126&sid=23915429 

The basil Pesto sauce recipe:

*Fresh Basil Pesto: 1 cup basil (loosely packed)

 2 small cloves garlic 

2 T toasted pine nuts 

3 T EVOO 

1/4 cup parmesan cheese 

1 t lemon juice salt and pepper to taste 

Stick it in a food processor. Blend.

It was SOOO good! Just like Zupas!!