Bavarian Panini With Triple Berry Preserves Food

PLUM-VANILLA PRESERVES

Steps:

• Start with our step-by-step canning how-to.
• Put the plums, sugar, vanilla beans and cinnamon sticks in a large, wide saucepan. Squeeze the lemon juice through a strainer into the pan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture boils, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy or deep-fry thermometer registers 220 degrees F, about 30 minutes. (To be sure that the mixture has reached the gel point, spoon some onto a chilled plate and put in the freezer until cool. The liquid should set; if not, continue to cook and retest after a few more minutes.) Remove the pan from the heat and let cool 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, sterilize four 8-ounce canning jars and lids.
• Return the plum mixture to medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring, then add the plumcots. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until the plumcots are tender, about 5 minutes. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
• Fill the jars with the plum mixture, leaving 1/2 inch headspace, then seal and process.

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the oil over the eggplant, zucchini, and onion slices, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant, zucchini, and onions until they are tender and grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool completely.
• Cut each baguette into 6 pieces. Working with one baguette piece at a time, slice in half and spread both sides with the pesto. Working with the bottom slice of the baguette, stack 2 slices of eggplant, 2 slices zucchini, 1 slice onion, 1 slice tomato, 1 slice mozzarella, and 1 slice of roasted pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place top half of baguette on top and continue with remaining baguette. (The sandwiches can be made 4 hours ahead. Wrap well with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup (about) extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• In a blender, pulse the basil, pine nuts, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until finely chopped. With the blender still running, gradually add enough oil to form a smooth and thick consistency. Transfer the pesto to a medium bowl and stir in 1/2 cup of cheese. Season the pesto with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The pesto can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Yield: 1 cup
• Prep Time: 10 minutes

JAMS AND PRESERVES

Steps:

• Bring water, apricots and sugar to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apricots are tender and about 1/2 cup water remains. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Process in blender or food processor until smooth and thick. Return to saucepan and stir in applesauce. Spoon into jars or containers. Cover tightly and refrigerate.;
• With a vegetable peeler, remove colored peel from orange, leaving white membrane on orange. With a sharp knife, cut off and discard membrane. Finely chop peel and pulp. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have a 13 by 9 by 2-inch or other large, shallow glass baking dish ready. Place peel and pulp of 3 cups of the cranberries, the strawberries, chopped apples, sugar and cinnamon sticks in baking dish. Stir to mix. Cover with foil. Bake 45 minutes. Stir in remaining cranberries and bake uncovered 1 hour longer or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Cool, spoon into clean jars. Cover and refrigerate.
• Yield: 10 cups

PUMPERNICKEL PASTRAMI PANINI WITH ROSEMARY-ALE JUS

Steps:

• To make the rosemary-ale jus, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a medium sized saucepan, over medium-low heat; whisk in beef broth, beer, garlic, rosemary, onion powder and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and allow to simmer.
• In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Stir in onion, apple, salt and the additional 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until light golden brown and tender; remove from skillet and set aside.
• Divide pastrami equally between 4 slices of bread; top with apples and onions, and white Cheddar cheese. Top with remaining bread slices.
• Melt 1 tablespoon butter in same skillet; place 2 sandwiches in pan, place the bottom of a heavy skillet on top, and press down to flatten. Cook for 2 minutes, flip, press down with heavy skillet again, and cook an additional 2 minutes, or until crisp. Repeat process with remaining 1 tablespoon butter and additional 2 sandwiches; slice sandwiches in half, diagonally. Divide rosemary-ale jus into 4 small bowls, and serve with panini for dipping.

TRIPLE BERRY PRESERVES

Steps:

• Wash your jars and screw bands in hot, soapy water; rinse with warm water. Pour boiling water over the flat lids in medium saucepan off the heat. Let stand in hot water until ready to use.
• Add strawberries, raspberries and blackberries to a saucepan.
• Blend 1/4 cup of sugar with the Sure-Jell powder and stir the mixture into the fruit in the pan.
• Add the margarine and orange zest and bring to a full rolling boil (this means it doesn't stop bubbling when stirred) over high heat.
• Stir in the rest of the sugar and return to a full rolling boil.
• Let the mixture boil for exactly 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Immediately and quickly ladle the very hot mixture into the clean 1-cup jam jars (filling to within 1/8-inch of the top) while wiping jar rims and threads.
• Turn jars upside down after the band has been screwed tightly.
• After 5 minutes, turn jars upright.