Mini Cheese Sandwiches Panini With Mozzarella And Olive Tapenade Recipes

MINI CHEESE AND OLIVE CALZONES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, combine cheeses, olives, and Italian seasoning. On a floured surface, unroll crescent dough in 1 piece. Roll out to a 16 by 8-inch rectangle. Using a pizza cutter, slice into 8 (4 by 4-inch) squares. Place 2 tablespoons of filling on half of each square. Lightly moisten the edges with water, fold dough over, and seal, pressing with fork tines. Using the points of the fork, pierce vents into top of each calzone. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until golden. Serve hot.

PIZZETTAS WITH OLIVE TAPENADE AND PECORINO CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Stir the garlic into the tapenade. Separate the ready made/store bought pizza dough into 1 1/2-ounce pieces and roll them out to 1/8-inch (if possible, roll out to desired thickness by using a pasta machine). Cover the top of the rolled out dough with olive paste and garlic mixture. Sprinkle the thyme on top. Lay the pecorino on top of pizzetta. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Bake the pizza for 15 minutes or until light brown (a cracker like thinness and texture). Let cool for about 10 minutes, and serve.

PANINI WITH MOZZARELLA AND OLIVE TAPENADE

Steps:

• Olive Tapenade: Put anchovies, garlic and thyme in a blender or food processor and puree. Add olives and olive oil, and pulse to a smooth paste. If it is too thin, add more pitted olives. If it is too thick, add more olive oil. Spread bread pieces on a work surface. Spread 1/2 tablespoon olive tapenade on half the pieces, then cover with a slice of mozzarella, then cover with the remaining bread slices. Butter both sides of the sandwich and grill in batches in a panini press until browned on both sides. Put on a platter and cover with foil to keep warm until serving.