Grilled Vegetable Panini With Herbed Feta Spread Food

GRILLED VEGETABLE PANINI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Brush the sliced vegetables with 1/4 cup canola oil. Season with salt and pepper and place on the grill. Cook until they have slightly charred and softened slightly, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the garlic, Italian seasoning, vinegar, remaining 1/4 cup canola oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle half of the dressing over the grilled vegetables. Stir the chopped olives into the remaining dressing.
• Cut the bread into 4 equal pieces and slice open. Spread the olive dressing evenly on 4 bottom pieces of the bread. Top with a single layer of each of the vegetables, reserving the remaining vegetables for Round 2 Recipe Ratatouille Pasta. Sprinkle the cheese over each and place the remaining 4 bread pieces on top. Place in a panini press and cook until well toasted, about 5 minutes. (Or place on a well-oiled grill pan and place a heavy hot cast-iron skillet or griddle on top of the sandwiches, and grill until the bread is well toasted, about 5 minutes per side.)

ROASTED VEGETABLES WITH HERBED FETA, PISTACHIO AND POMEGRANATE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Combine the carrots, potatoes and Brussels sprouts in a large bowl. Drizzle with 1/4 cup olive oil and sprinkle with the salt, pepper and coriander. Spread the vegetables on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 15 to 20 minutes. Flip the vegetables and continue to roast until tender and browned all over, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, add the feta, yogurt, honey, lemon zest and lemon juice to a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy, adding a little water if needed to loosen the puree. Add the herbs and pulse until just distributed (you don't want to turn the mixture green; you just want to combine them). Spread the feta mixture on a platter. Arrange the roasted vegetables on top of the feta. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds and pistachios over the top and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

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

FETA SPREAD: HTIPITO

Steps:

• In a food processor, mix together the feta, olive oil, chiles, garlic, oregano, and black pepper. Blend on low speed for about 6 minutes or until the feta is whipped. Pour in lemon juice and pulse the mixture until completely combined, about 2 minutes. Pour into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until ready to use. Serve with toasted pita.