Baked Cheese Tomato Bacon Ciabatta Sandwiches Food

BACON & TOMATO CIABATTA

Steps:

• Toast a chunk of ciabatta (or French bread). Spread with a little mustard and fill with the grilled bacon (or lean ham) and thickly sliced grilled tomatoes.
• Serve with a mug of steaming hot chocolate made with cocoa powder and semi-skimmed milk.

TOMATO MOZZARELLA PAN BAGNAT

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette, whisk the shallots, garlic, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, stir in the anchovies (if using), capers, and olives, and set aside.
• Core the tomatoes and slice them 1/3 inch thick. Place the bottom halves of the ciabattas, cut side up, on a sheet pan. Place a layer of tomato on each bread, spoon on 2/3 of the vinaigrette, add a layer of mozzarella, and sprinkle with the basil leaves. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette on the cut sides of the ciabatta tops and place them, cut side down, on the sandwiches. Place a second sheet pan on the sandwiches and put weights on top, such as cans of tomatoes. Allow the sandwiches to sit at room temperature for an hour for the flavors to blend.
• Heat an electric panini press and toast the sandwiches for 5 to 10 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the mozzarella starts to melt. Cut each sandwich in half and serve warm.

BACON AND TOMATO GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread about 1 tablespoon butter into the bottom of a large skillet (or just leave some fat in the pan from the bacon).
• Spread 1 tablespoon (can use more) onto one side of each slice of bread.
• Place the 4 slices of bread butter-side down onto a large skillet or flat grill.
• Top with 1 slice of cheese, 2 slices of tomato and 2 slices cooked bacon, then 1 more slice of cheese.
• Cover with a slice of bread (butter-side facing outside).
• Fry over medium turning once with a spatula until golden brown on both sides.

BACON-TOMATO CHEESE TOASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Core the tomatoes and thinly slice. Place in a colander in the sink and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; let drain for at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 10 minutes; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate. Pour off and reserve the drippings, leaving 1 tablespoon in the skillet; toast the bread on one side in the drippings until golden (do this in batches, adding more drippings as needed). Place the bread, toasted-side down, on a baking sheet.
• Combine the cheeses with the mayonnaise, scallions and parsley in a bowl. Spread the cheese mixture on the toasts, reserving about 1/3 cup. Crumble the bacon on top. Shake any excess liquid from the tomatoes; distribute the zucchini and tomatoes among the toasts. Dot with the reserved cheese mixture and season with pepper. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.