Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons chopped celery
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 ounces lump crabmeat, drained well
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, at room temperature
  • 8 slices sourdough or other rustic white bread, sliced from a dense bakery loaf
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, sliced
  • 8 strips cooked bacon
  • 2 plum tomatoes (such as Roma), thinly sliced and seeded

Method

  • Heat the panini press to medium-high heat.
  • In a medium-size bowl, combine the mayonnaise, celery, lemon juice, Old Bay seasoning, Dijon mustard and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir in the drained crabmeat.
  • Spread butter on two slices of bread to flavor the outside of each sandwich.
  • Flip over one slice and top the other side with cheese, crab salad, bacon, tomatoes and more cheese.
  • Close the sandwich with the other slice of bread, buttered side up.
  • Grill two panini at a time, with the lid closed, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted, 4 to 5 minutes.