Panini With Artichoke Hearts Spinach And Red Peppers Recipes

PANINI WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS, SPINACH AND RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Add the spinach to the boiling water and blanch for 10 to 20 seconds. Transfer to the ice water to cool for a few minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir in the artichoke hearts. Stir for a few minutes, until the artichoke hearts are beginning to color, and add the thyme leaves and the spinach. Toss together and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Preheat a panini grill. Top four of the bread slices with the artichoke hearts and spinach. Add strips of roasted pepper, then cheese. Top with the remaining bread and press together. Brush the outside of the bread (top and bottom slices) with olive oil. Place in the panini maker and grill for four to five minutes, until the cheese has melted and the bread is toasty. Slice in half and serve hot.

ARTICHOKE AND SPINACH DIP CHICKEN PANINI

Steps:

• Stir together the artichokes, spinach, sour cream, fontina and Parmesan in a bowl. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
• Preheat a grill pan or panini press on medium heat.
• Spread the artichoke mixture on all the slices of bread. Place 1 layer of chicken on 4 of the bread slices, then top each with a couple of layers of roasted red peppers. Top with the remaining bread. Brush the outside of each sandwich with some olive oil.
• Place the sandwiches on the grill pan or in the panini press. If using a grill pan, place a cast-iron skillet or brick wrapped in foil on top of the sandwiches to weigh them down. Cook, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the cheese is melted and gooey in the center, 3 to 5 minutes per side. If using a panini press cook 6 to 10 minutes total.