Bunny Pesto Cristos

  4.6 – 9 reviews  • Lunch
Level: Easy
Total: 35 min
Active: 35 min
Yield: 2 to 4 servings (4 sandwiches)
Level: Easy
Total: 35 min
Active: 35 min
Yield: 2 to 4 servings (4 sandwiches)

Ingredients

  1. 1/2 cup (136 grams; from a 6.5-ounce jar) store-bought pesto
  2. 4 to 5 ounces fresh spinach
  3. Olive oil, to taste
  4. 8 slices (315 grams) sliced white sandwich bread (such as potato bread)
  5. 4 deli slices (4 ounces) low-moisture/part-skim mozzarella
  6. 4 deli slices (4 ounces) mild provolone
  7. 4 large eggs
  8. 2 tablespoons whole milk
  9. 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  10. 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus a few cracks
  11. 2 1/2 cups (163 grams) fine dry breadcrumbs
  12. Neutral oil, for shallow frying

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, combine the pesto and spinach for an extra vegetable-y pesto. Blend until smooth, adding more olive oil if necessary. Set aside.
  2. To build the sandwiches: Line up the sandwich bread on a baking sheet into 2 rows of 4. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto on each slice. On 4 of the slices, place 1 piece mozzarella in the middle of each, then 1 slice provolone. Finish building the sandwiches with the top pieces of bread, placing them on the cheese pesto-side facing down. Gently press down on each sandwich to lightly flatten. Cut each into a bunny shape with a 4-by-3-inch bunny-shaped cookie cutter.
  3. In a 9-inch square baking dish, vigorously whisk the eggs and milk until the yolks are fully incorporated into the whites to make a batter (you shouldn’t see blotches of bright yellow yolks, rather a homogenous light yellow mixture). Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and whisk to combine. In a second 9-inch square baking dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and few cracks of black pepper.
  4. Heat a thin layer of neutral oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium heat (the oil should reach 1/4-inch up the side of the skillet). Line a baking sheet with a cooling rack.
  5. Meanwhile, carefully place the sandwiches, one at a time, into the egg batter: Coat a sandwich on all sides, allowing the excess egg to drip off before transferring to the breadcrumbs. Dredge the sandwich in the crumbs and transfer back to the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining 3 sandwiches.
  6. Using a metal spatula, gently place each sandwich into the hot oil. Fry until the crust is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, then carefully flip the sandwich away from you to fry for another 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the sandwiches to the cooling rack to drain of excess oil.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 703
Total Fat 31 g
Saturated Fat 12 g
Carbohydrates 71 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Sugar 8 g
Protein 35 g
Cholesterol 228 mg
Sodium 1222 mg
Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 703
Total Fat 31 g
Saturated Fat 12 g
Carbohydrates 71 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g
Sugar 8 g
Protein 35 g
Cholesterol 228 mg
Sodium 1222 mg

Reviews

Greg Torres
I think this sounds delicious. If you don’t think Molly makes anything “normal” then maybe her show is not what you should be watching. Children learn to eat what is put in front of them.
Yvonne Chen
I wish Food Network screeners for these reviews would remove those that are just mean & hateful like the one below. I like alot of Molly’s ideas. What’s “normal” anyways? Creativity keeps things from being mundane. I enjoy Molly. From the reviews, it appears some kids DO like pesto! And how do they ever know if they don’t try some various tastes? Go, Molly!
Sharon Brewer
My kids love Pesto and they love these! And with Tomato Soup..extra yummy! Our kids have always been adventurous eaters and I’m pretty sure Molly’s child is raised that way as well!
Melissa Huff
These were absolutely delicious with the tomato soup. They have the texture of a mozzarella stick and the ooey-gooey factor is top notch – thank you to Molly!
John Gonzalez
Delicious!
Andrew Cole
NOPE!! Seriously can Molly ever make anything normal? Kids don’t like pesto and why would you put it on a cute little Bunny sandwich? Pretty gross & talk about dripping in grease!! Do you really feed deep fried yuck to your child? Very unhealthy!! Make some normal yummy stuff. You make some pretty disgusting stuff!

 

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