Grilled Open Faced Vegetable Pesto And Mozzarella Sandwiches Food

GRILLED SUMMER VEGETABLE SANDWICHES WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Slice the zucchini and summer squash lengthwise, 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick. Cut the bell pepper into 1-inch wide strips. Lay in a roomy baking dish.
• Make the marinade. In a small bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Pour over the veggies and toss gently. Let sit for about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto. First, toast the walnuts (an optional but worthwhile step - toasting adds wonderful flavor). To toast, set a small pan over medium heat and add the walnuts. Stir frequently until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add to the pitcher of a blender or a food processor fitted with the s-blade. Add the basil, garlic, thyme, lemon juice, nutritional yeast or Parmesan if using, and salt. Turn on the blender or food processor, streaming in the olive oil as it runs, until a sauce forms. Taste pesto and add additional salt if desired.
• Prepare your grill - medium direct heat, about 375 degrees. Lay the vegetables on the preheated grill grates and cook until grill lines form, about 5 minutes. Flip (we like to use long-handled tongs) and cook on the other side until tender and cooked through, about 5 more minutes. Transfer from the grill to a platter. Keep the grill on to quickly toast the rolls.
• Slice the rolls in half and brush the insides with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Lay the rolls cut-side down on the grill and cook just until warmed and a little golden and toasty. Remove from grill.
• Assemble the sandwiches. Smear both sides of the roll with approx. 1 tablespoon of pesto on each side (more or less to taste). Add a layer of zucchini, summer squash, and two or three strips of the pepper. Close, cut in half, and serve!

OPEN-FACED TOMATO, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL SANDWICH

Steps:

• Core the tomatoes and slice each tomato and each ball of mozzarella into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Place the sliced ciabatta loaves on a work surface, and spread each half evenly with 1/8 cup pesto. Place 4 slices of tomato and 3 slices mozzarella side by side on the top of each half loaf and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place 4 basil leaves on top of each sandwich.
• Slice each half loaf crosswise into 4 serving portions, making sure that each piece has a slice of tomato, mozzarella and a basil leaf.

OPEN FACE MOZZARELLA SANDWICH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the 4 slices of Italian bread out on the prepared baking sheet; top each piece of bread with a tomato slice, a basil leaf, and a slice of mozzarella cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese has melted, about 7 minutes. Drizzle each sandwich with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

GRILLED OPEN-FACED VEGETABLE, PESTO, AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• To make the sandwich:
• Prepare grill.
• Lightly brush bell peppers and eggplants with oil and grill on an oiled rack set about 4 inches over glowing coals about 4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Cut peppers into strips.
• Lightly brush cut sides of bread with oil and grill, cut sides down, about 2 minutes, or until golden. Spread each piece of bread with 4 tablespoons pesto and divide peppers, eggplants, and mozzarella between them. Grill sandwiches, covered, just until cheese is melted. (Alternatively, vegetables and assembled sandwiches may be broiled.) Sprinkle each sandwich with basil and cut in half.
• To make the pesto:
• In a blender or small food processor blend together all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Pesto keeps, covered and chilled, up to 1 week. Makes about 2/3 cup.

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH PESTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• 1. Blend pesto ingredients and store covered in fridge until ready to use. 2. Slice vegetables, such as zucchini and eggplant. 3. Coat vegetables in oil, salt, and pepper and fresh or dried herbs. 4. Grill in a grill pan or on a hot grill, or roast in the oven on high heat (about 450°F) until tender. 5. Shmear bread with pesto. 6. Place vegetable between slices of bread and grill sandwich in a panini grill, grilled cheese press or in a saute pan over medium heat. Recipe originally published in JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller Magazine Shavuot 2014 SUBSCRIBE NOW