Panino Alla Margherita

From Giada De Laurentiis; Everyday Italian

1 slice fresh mozzarella cheese (1/2 inch thick, about 2 ounces)
2 slices rustic white bread (each 1/2 inch thick)
1/8 tsp salt
fresh ground black pepper to taste
6 medium basil leaves (or 3 large)
2 slices tomato (1/4 inch thick)
about 2 teaspoons olive oil

Place the mozzarella cheese atop 1 bread slice, and sprinkle with half of the salt and some pepper. Top with the basil leaves, then the tomato slices. Sprinkle with the remaining salt and some more pepper, and top with the second bread slice. Brush both sides of the sandwich with the oil.

Preheat a griddle or a ridged grill pan over a medium-low flame. Grill the sandwich until the bread is golden brown and the cheese melts, pressing down with a metal spatula, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer the sandwich to a plate and serve.

*Instead of pressing with a spatula, you could use a clean pan weighted down with a canned good to press the sandwich.