Caponata Panini Recipes

GRILLED FONTINA AND CAPONATA PANINI

Steps:

• Arrange 2 bread slices on work surface. Top each bread slice with 1/4 of cheese, 3 tablespoons caponata and half of tomato. Sprinkle each with half of rosemary, then salt and pepper. Top with remaining cheese and bread. Brush top and bottom bread slices with oil.
• Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches to skillet and grill until bread is golden brown and cheese melts, about 6 minutes per side.
• Transfer sandwiches to plates. Cut in half and serve hot.

FAMILY-SIZE ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Pulse the banana peppers, olives, 1/4 teaspoon oregano and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Split open the loaf of bread, leaving one side attached. Brush the inside with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Fill with a layer of tomato, then salami, ham, coppa and provolone. Top with the banana pepper mixture. Wrap the sandwich tightly in foil and press between 2 baking sheets; place a cast-iron skillet on top to weight it down. Bake until the bread is crisp and the cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, whisk the banana pepper brine, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon oregano and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss with the romaine. To serve, unwrap the sandwich and cut into pieces. Serve with the salad.

CAPONATA PICNIC SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cut the bread pieces horizontally in half. Grill the bread cut-side down on a grill pan over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Rub the whole garlic cloves over the toasted side of the bread. Add a slice of mozzarella to bread bottom, spoon the caponata on top, cover with the other bread half, and serve.
• To take for a picnic: Wrap the sandwiches separately in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Chill until ready to serve, or keep at room temperature up to 1 hour.

CAPONATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, toss the eggplant generously with olive oil and salt, to taste. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast until the eggplant is soft and mushy, about 15 to 20 minutes. Reserve.
• Coat a wide deep pot with olive oil. Toss in the onion and crushed red pepper and season with salt, to taste. Cook over medium-high heat until the onions are soft and aromatic, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Add the fennel, celery and garlic and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the peppers and cook for another 5 to 6 minutes. Add the zucchini, season with salt, to taste, and cook until the zucchini and all the veggies are soft and aromatic and starting to come together as a stew, about 5 to 6 minutes. Toss in the eggplant, 1/2 cup of water and the tomato paste. Cook until the water has evaporated. Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar in a small bowl and add it to the mixture. Stir in the raisins, capers, pine nuts and mint. Cook for another 5 to 6 minutes.
• Let cool and transfer the caponata to a serving bowl. Serve immediately or even better tomorrow or the next day.