Pressed Mozzarella Sandwiches Recipes

TOMATO MOZZARELLA PAN BAGNAT

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette, whisk the shallots, garlic, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, stir in the anchovies (if using), capers, and olives, and set aside.
• Core the tomatoes and slice them 1/3 inch thick. Place the bottom halves of the ciabattas, cut side up, on a sheet pan. Place a layer of tomato on each bread, spoon on 2/3 of the vinaigrette, add a layer of mozzarella, and sprinkle with the basil leaves. Spoon the remaining vinaigrette on the cut sides of the ciabatta tops and place them, cut side down, on the sandwiches. Place a second sheet pan on the sandwiches and put weights on top, such as cans of tomatoes. Allow the sandwiches to sit at room temperature for an hour for the flavors to blend.
• Heat an electric panini press and toast the sandwiches for 5 to 10 minutes, until the bread is toasted and the mozzarella starts to melt. Cut each sandwich in half and serve warm.

PRESSED BROCCOLI RABE AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Pour water to a depth of 1 in [2.5 cm] into a medium pot and set over high heat. When the water boils, add a large pinch of salt and then the broccoli rabe and cook, stirring, until bright green and slightly wilted, about 30 seconds. Drain the broccoli rabe in a colander, wipe the pot dry, and return it to high heat. Add 2 Tbsp of the olive oil, the garlic, and the red pepper flakes and stir the garlic into the oil until it's fragrant, just 15 seconds. Immediately add the drained broccoli rabe and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until the broccoli rabe is coated with the garlicky oil and is a bit more softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set the broccoli rabe aside to cool down a bit.
• In a small bowl, combine the olives, capers, vinegar, the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, and a small pinch of salt and stir together. Place the rolls, cut-side up, on a work surface and evenly distribute the olive mixture among the rolls, putting some on both halves of each roll. Divide the mozzarella and broccoli rabe evenly among the rolls, close the rolls, and then tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap. Place something flat and heavy on top of the sandwiches, such as a large cast-iron skillet. Let the sandwiches sit under this weight for at least an hour before eating or putting them in your backpack.

FRESH MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the tomatoes, jelly, oregano, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring several times., Meanwhile, for sandwiches, arrange cheese on four slices of bread to within 1/2 in. of edges. Top with remaining bread. In a shallow bowl, combine the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Dip sandwiches in egg mixture. , Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add two sandwiches; toast over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and the cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining sandwiches and butter. Serve with tomato sauce for dipping.

PRESSED CHEESE SANDWICHES

Steps:

• I think simple recipes are the best way to start out the meal. Melted cheese, in any form, is something that everyone loves. I find these sandwiches only make people want to eat more afterwards!
• In a small bowl, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the pressed garlic. Stir to blend.
• Put 4 slices of the bread on a flat surface. Dry any moisture off the mozzarella cheese and put 4 slices on 4 pieces of bread. Sprinkle with aleppo pepper and drizzle with the garlic and oil mixture. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper, to taste. "Flake" the thyme off the stems and onto the cheese. Do the same with the rosemary, but more sparingly.
• Cover the cheese with the remaining 4 slices of bread and cut each sandwich in half and in half again, to make 4 individual pieces. Arrange them in a single layer on a small baking sheet or large plate and cover them with baking sheet or plate to weigh them down. Refrigerate the sandwiches overnight. This will make them flatter and better integrate the flavors.
• The next day, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over low heat. When the olive oil begins to smoke lightly, add the sandwiches and cook them on 1 side until brown. Turn and cook until brown on the other side. Cook in batches, if necessary. Transfer to a serving platter and season with salt. Top with the pickled scallions and serve immediately.
• The acidity of the vinegar and the oniony "bite" of the scallion make this a brightening element for my cheese sandwiches. I avoid salt and pepper to keep the focus on the acidity of the scallion.
• Put the scallions on a cutting board and, using a sharp knife, slice them into thin rounds from the white part all the way through the green part.
• Add the scallions to a small bowl with the red wine vinegar and the olive oil. Toss to combine and set aside for 1 to 2 hours to allow the vinegar to work its magic. The scallions can be covered and refrigerated overnight, if desired.

PRESSED MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Lightly brush sandwich bread with olive oil.
• Top half the bread with half the cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spread tapanade (or pesto) over cheese, then top with peppers, remaining cheese, and bread.
• Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium heat.
• Place sandwiches in pan (work in batches, if needed) weight with a heavy skillet.
• Cook over medium-low heat, pressing down firmly with skillet, until bread is golden and cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes per side.
• Serve warm.

MOZZARELLA IN CARROZZA (FRIED MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES)

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs, then beat in the garlic, season with salt and pepper and beat again to combine. In another shallow bowl, add the breadcrumbs, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
• Top 4 slices of white bread with a single mozzarella slice apiece, and trim the cheese as needed to avoid overhang. Top with the remaining 4 slices of white bread and press down gently.
• Dip both sides and all the edges of a sandwich in the egg to coat fully, followed by the bread crumbs. Place on a large plate and transfer to the refrigerator to firm up while you continue to work, then repeat with the other sandwiches.
• In a large skillet, heat 1/4-inch olive oil over medium heat. See if the oil is ready by dropping a few bread crumbs in; they should bubble gently. Working in batches as needed, fry each sandwich, turning once with a slotted spatula or a fork, until the outsides and edges are golden brown and the cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Season with salt, halve diagonally, and serve.

PRESSED PICNIC SANDWICH

Steps:

• Ask an adult to slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthways and heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Put the ciabatta loaf halves, crust-side down, on a large baking tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Pop them in the oven for a few mins until just golden and lightly toasted.
• Put the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and mustard in a bowl, then whisk them together with a fork.
• Remove the toasted ciabatta halves from the tray and drizzle the bottom slice with about half of the dressing.
• Arrange the rest of the ingredients in layers. Start with a large handful of baby spinach, then a few artichoke hearts.
• Next add the slices of pepper, the prosciutto, basil, mozzarella and, finally, the red onion.
• Drizzle over the rest of the dressing and pop the other slice of ciabatta on top.
• Press down on the sandwich to squash all the layers together.
• Wrap the sandwich in baking parchment and tie it together with a couple of pieces of string.
• Place a heavy baking tray on top of your sandwich and top it with weights or loaf tins filled with baking beans. Pop it all in the fridge overnight or until you are ready to eat it. Cut and serve in slices for the perfect picnic snack.

PRESSED SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Make the pesto: Pulse basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor until combined. With machine running, add 1/2 cup oil in a slow, steady stream. Transfer to a small airtight container, and top with remaining oil. Pesto can be refrigerated overnight.
• Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high. (If you are using a charcoal grill, coals are ready when you can hold your hand 5 inches above grill for just 3 to 4 seconds.) Grill bell pepper, turning with tongs, until blackened all over. Place in a bag, close bag, and steam 15 minutes. Peel pepper, and discard skin.
• Lightly brush both sides of eggplant, zucchini, and summer squash with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping once, until golden brown and soft, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Pull out most of the doughy center of bread, and reserve for another use (such as breadcrumbs). Brush inside of each loaf with oil. Spread pesto over bottom half of each loaf. Top one loaf bottom with grilled vegetables and half the mozzarella; top remaining loaf bottom with prosciutto and remaining mozzarella. Sandwich top and bottom of each loaf, and press firmly. Tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic, allowing air to release before sealing. Wrap each in parchment paper, and tie with kitchen string. Place sandwiches in refrigerator, and weigh down with a heavy object (such as a Dutch oven). Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight). Slice, and serve.

PRESSED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together mustard and oil until thick; spread on bread. Layer bottom half of bread with some of the lettuce, then cheese, tomatoes, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Top with remaining lettuce and bread.
• Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic; place on a baking sheet. Top with another sheet, and weight down with canned goods or a heavy skillet. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to overnight to meld flavors. Cut in half, and serve.