Capresepaninimozzarellatomatoesandbasil Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat an electric panini maker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Brush one side of each bread slice with olive oil.
• Lay the slices, oiled side down, on a clean work surface.
• Spread the top of each slice with 1 Tbs mayonnaise.
• Place the cheese on one slice and top with the tomato slices.
• Drizzle with the vinegar and season with salt and pepper.
• Top with the basil, then with the other bread slice, oiled side up.
• Place the sandwich on the preheated panini maker and cook according to the manufacturer's instructions until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Transfer the sandwich to a cutting board and cut in half.
• Serve immediately.
• Serves 1.

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, mozzarella, oil and vinegar in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature. Mix in basil.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite. Drain.
• Return pasta to pot. Add tomato mixture and toss gently to blend. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, capers, and pepper flakes; sauté until just starting to break down, about 3 minutes.
• Off heat, add vinegar.
• Brush oil on one side of each slice of bread; spread the other sides with 1 tablespoon pesto. Arrange mozzarella and tomato mixture on two slices of bread, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with another slice of bread, oiled side up.
• Toast sandwiches in a skillet or panini press.

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, over low heat, simmer balsamic vinegar until it is reduced by half and is thick, sweet and syrupy. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
• Thread 1 tomato, 1/2 basil leaf and 1 bocconcini onto each toothpick. Arrange on a serving plate and lightly drizzle with the baslamic syrup.
• Note: Pearl bocconcini are marble size balls of fresh mozzarella cheese sold in tubs in the dairy isle.

Steps:

• Toss the mozzarella and cherry tomatoes with the Italian dressing. Cover and refrigerate. If I'm making this for dinner, I usually get the cheese and tomatoes in the fridge to marinate a few hours before I plan to assemble the salad.
• In a skillet on low heat, heat the olive oil, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook on low for 5-10 minutes allowing the garlic to soften (but not brown) and infuse the oil.
• Meanwhile, boil the pasta. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat. Set the pasta mixture aside to cool.
• Once the pasta is cooled, add the cheese and tomatoes along with the dressing marinade. Season the salad with salt and pepper and top with 3 tablespoons fresh basil.

Steps:

• Add 2-3 tablespoons of the olive oil to a large saute pan, and warm over medium heat.
• Keeping the heat on medium, add the bread cubes and the salt, and toss.
• Stir frequently for about 10 minutes, until the cubes are well toasted. Whenever the pan dries out, add a little more olive oil, about a tablespoon at a time.
• Remove bread cubes from heat and allow to cool completely.
• Seed and dice the tomatoes and add to a large bowl. I keep the tomato chunks large - about the same size as the bread cubes.
• Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and add them to the bowl.
• Give the basil a couple of rough chops, and throw it in.
• Dice the mozzarella and add that to the bowl, too.
• Add the cooled bread cubes.
• Make the viniagrette in a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the bread, veggies, basil, and cheese, and toss gently until well incorporated.
• Let sit for just a few minutes so the bread can soak in just a little of the vinaigrette.
• Add a little more salt and fresh ground pepper to taste, and serve immediately.