Caponata Panini

Servings: 4

This recipe comes straight from one of my all time favorite food network chef, Giada DiLaurentiis! I saw her make this delicious panini a few weeks ago on the her Giada at Home show;  the episode where she was getting  a meal ready for a fancy picnic in the park,  now I didn’t have a picnic to go to BUT I was ready to eat! Needless to say it was delicious and I only made a FEW changes!

Ingredients:

Panini

• 4 sourdough demi-baguettes or rolls, halved lengthwise
• 4 slices provolone chesse
• 4 slicese ham
• 1 1/3 cups caponata, recipe follows:

Caponata

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 medium onion
• 1 medium eggplant
• 2 zucchinis
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
• 3 tablespoons raisins
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon drained capers
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning

Directions:

1. Roughly chop the veggies [onion, eggplant, bell pepper and zucchini].

2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

3. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes.

4. Add the eggplant and zucchini and cook until soft, about 3 to 4 minutes.

5. Add the red bell pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.

6. Add the tomatoes, raisins, and oregano to the pan.

7.  Simmer over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens, about 20 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, capers, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Season, to taste, with more salt and pepper, if needed.

8. Put the panini together!

• Place 2 slices of the provolone cheese and ham on each bottom half of the baguettes. Spoon 1/3 cup of the caponata on top of the cheese or ham.

9. Place the top halves on the baguettes and grill the panini until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Flip panini over and grill for another 5 minutes.

10. ENJOY!!

* * Now that summers is right around the corner treat your family to this lean hamburger meal, try it on the BBQ or indoor grill!! * *

LEAN HAMBURGER MEAL

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

2lbs. quality ground beef

2 eggs

1/2 onion

1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

3 tbsp. minced garlic

2 tbsp. worcestershire sauce

1 tbsp. smoke paprika

salt + pepper

5 italian squash aka zucchini

3 tbsp. italian season

4 tbsp.  good olive oil

salt + pepper

8  small white rose potatoes -or-4 large yukon gold potatoes

3 boiled eggs

5 celery stalks

2 whole kosher dill pickles

3 large shallots -or- 1/3 purple onion

1/4 cup mayonaise

1/3 sour cream

3 tbsp. dijon mustard

3 tbsp. yellow mustard

3 tbsp. bon appetit seasoning

salt + pepper

Directions:

1. Prepare hamburger meat:

• chop onion
• grate cheese
• in shallow bowl combine: ground beef, onion, garlic, cheese, eggs, worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika and salt + pepper
• score mixture into 8 servings
• prepare patties, cover + refrigerate

2. Prepare zucchini side:

• wash outside of zucchini with mild soap + water, pat dry
• julienne zucchini
• in large square container combine: zucchini, italian seasoning, olive oil and salt + pepper
• toss until evenly coated, cover + refrigerate

3. Prepare potato salad:

• wash outside of potatoes with mild soap + water, pat dry
• cube potatoes
• cook potatoes:

               1.  bring a large pot of salted wated to boil

               2.  add potatoes; cook until tender but still firm, about 15min

               3.  drain and transfer to a large bowl

• boil eggs:

               1.  place in sauce pan with cold water

               2.  bring water to boil + immediately remove from heat

               3.  cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10-12min

               4.  remove from hot water, cool and peel

• chop: shallots, celery, pickles and egg; transfer to large bowl
• prepare dressing in small bowl; combine: mayonaise, sour cream, mustards, bon appetit seasoning, salt + pepper
• toss potatoes, celery, shallots, eggs and pickles with dressing until evenly coated
• cover + refrigerate

 4. Get your grill on:

• take hamburger patties and zucchini out of refrigerator
• grill hamburgers patties for 4-5 minutes one each side (for medium) making sure to turn only once
• grill zucchini for 2-3 minutes on each side making sure to turn only once

5. Plate & ENJOY!