France Meets Italy Panini Food

CHICKEN AND PEPERONATA PANINI

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the red onions, orange peppers, red peppers, oregano and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are soft and have a touch of color, about 9 minutes. Add the capers and balsamic; reduce the heat to low and cook an additional 5 minutes, until the peppers are coated in the vinegar. Stir in the basil and set aside to cool.
• Preheat a panini press. Halve the ciabatta rolls horizontally and scoop out some of the insides from the top halves. Divide the pepper mixture evenly among all the halves and top each half with a slice of provolone. Divide the sliced chicken among the ciabatta bottoms and then cover with the ciabatta tops, pressing down slightly. Brush the outside of each sandwich with olive oil.
• Place the sandwiches in the panini press, close the top, and cook until warmed through and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

FRANCE MEETS ITALY PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler to high.
• Using a rubber spatula, mix together the butter and 1 1/2 cups of the Parmesan in a medium bowl. Spread the mixture evenly on the cut sides of the baguette quarters, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup Parmesan.
• Place the baguettes, cut-side up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil until golden brown and bubbly, about 3 minutes. Remove to a cutting board and allow to cool.
• Pile the prosciutto cotto on top of the baguettes. Slice each quarter into 4 pieces. Serve open-faced.

ITALIAN PANINI

Steps:

• Slice the bread in half horizontally and spread the cut-sides with the honey mustard. Build the sandwich by layering the bottom half of the loaf with half of the provolone, followed by the ham, turkey, salami and the remaining provolone (the provolone should be touching the bread on both sides, with the meat sandwiched in between). Cover with the top half of the loaf.
• Spread some of the butter on top of the loaf, then carefully flip over and butter the bottom. Slice into the desired number of sandwiches
• Heat a large two-burner grill pan over medium heat, or heat a panini maker. Add the sandwiches to the pan and cook, pressing down with a spatula, until the undersides are golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (see Cook's Note). Turn the sandwiches and continue to cook, pressing, until golden brown on the reverse side and the cheese is melted, another 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer the panini to a cutting board and slice in half. Serve immediately.