Panini Oil Recipes

PANINI OIL

Steps:

• Warm the canola in a small, heavy-bottomed sauce pan over medium-low heat.
• Smash the garlic cloves with the flat of a wide, heavy knife, the flat side of a tenderizing mallet, or any sturdy flat tool that you feel comfortable with. You want to flatten them somewhat (but not squirt garlicky bits all over the kitchen).
• When the oil shows signs of slow movement (that lazy, swirly motion that happens long before the oil begins smoking), drop the garlic into the warm oil.
• Watch and when the garlic shows signs of beginning to brown, pull off the heat and cover.
• Let stand at room temperature until cooled completely. Strain to remove the solids.
• Store the oil in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It should keep for a couple of months if you don't use it all before then.
• When using, brush (don't dip!) the outside surfaces of your bread when preparing paninis for grilling. You may wish to salt the outside after cooking depending on the type of panini or your personal taste.

MUSHROOM, GOAT CHEESE AND TRUFFLE OIL PANINI

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and 2 tablespoons thyme and cook for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until they are browned and soft, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let them cool for about 15 minutes. Put the mushrooms into a food processor and pulse a few times until they are finely chopped. (Alternately, you can chop them on a board with a knife.) Scrape them into a bowl. Crumble in the goat cheese and add the remaining thyme. Pour in the truffle oil, if using, and mix well to combine.
• Cut the focaccia into 4 pieces, slice them horizontally, and drizzle with some olive oil. On the bottoms place 1/4 of the mushroom mixture and top with some arugula. Put the tops on and gently press each sandwich to flatten it slightly. Drizzle some more olive oil over the tops.
• Place each sandwich on a preheated panini press and grill until the bread is toasted and the cheese begins to melt, about 5 minutes. Alternately, preheat a dry cast iron or non stick pan. Place the sandwich in the pan and weight it down with another pan or a clean brick wrapped in foil. Grill 5 minutes, turn the sandwich over, re-weight it, and grill for another 5 minutes. Serve immediately.