Italian Vegetable Melt Recipes

Steps:

• Bring vegetables and water to a boil in a large nonstick skillet. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Uncover; cook and stir until liquid is evaporated., Add the salad dressing, salt, basil and oregano. Cook and stir until heated through.

Steps:

• Chose crusty Italian bread that are 6-7 inches long.
• Split bread in half horizontally. Place halves on baking sheet, cut side up.
• In a 10-inch skillet or wok heat the salad dressing. Add onion, zucchini, green pepper, and garlic. Stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Stir in tomato.
• Sprinkle half of the provolone or mozzarella cheese on bread halves. Spoon vegetable mixture on cheese; sprinkle with remaining provolone or mozzarella and the Parmesan cheese.
• Broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat about 2 minutes or until cheese melts. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• Make the Vegetables: Fill the stock pot with water and bring to a boil. Stir in the lemon juice and salt. Fill the pasta basket with the broccoli rabe, cauliflower, mushrooms, zucchini, and squash. Submerge in the boiling water and cook, covered for 2 minutes. Remove the basket and refresh the vegetables under cold running water.
• Transfer the vegetables to a bowl and mix with the pepper strips, artichokes, and olives.
• In a blender, combine the vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix on medium until completely blended. While the motor is running, slowly pour in the oils in a steady stream to make a smooth dressing.
• Pour the dressing over vegetables. Add the basil and toss well. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. Arrange on a decorative platter garnished with fresh basil and lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°. Place mushrooms, broccoli, pepper and onion in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat. Roast 10-12 minutes or until tender., Meanwhile, place bread slices on a baking sheet. Mix mayonnaise and garlic; spread over bread., Change oven setting to broil. Spoon vegetables over bread slices; sprinkle with cheese. Broil 3-4 in. from heat 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the mushrooms, zucchini, peppers, onion, vinegar, water, 3 teaspoons oil and seasonings. Transfer to a grill wok or basket. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until tender, stirring once., Prepare grill for indirect heat. Brush crust with remaining oil; spread with pizza sauce. Top with grilled vegetables, tomatoes and cheese. Grill, covered, over indirect medium heat for 10-12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cheese is melted. Rotate pizza halfway through cooking to ensure evenly browned crust.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or skillet over medium. Add the onion, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until limp and translucent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the leek, celery and fennel, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Add the chopped garlic, bay leaves, red-pepper flakes and white wine; season generously with black pepper. Stir well and let the wine come to a simmer before turning off the heat.
• Scrape the mixture into a 6- to 8-quart slow cooker. Add the stock, beans, tomatoes, thyme, rosemary and lemon juice. Cook until the beans are tender and creamy, about 6 hours on high or 12 hours on low.
• Before serving, remove and discard the bay leaves and herb sprigs. Switch the slow cooker to high (if it's not already), and stir in the greens and vinegar.
• Let the greens cook while you make the toasts: Turn on your broiler. Rub the bread slices with the halved garlic and drizzle them with olive oil. Position a rack 6 inches from the broiler, then toast sliced bread under the broiler until very light golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1 slice of mozzarella to each toast and broil until softened and browned in spots. Taste the soup and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Divide the soup among bowls and add a mozzarella toast to each bowl. Garnish with the reserved fennel fronds, and additional black pepper or red-pepper flakes, if desired.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large nonstick frypan or Dutch oven.
• Add in the sausage meat and cook breaking up the meat with a spoon (this should take about 10-12 minutes)then remove the sausage to a bowl.
• To the same skillet/pot add in the chopped eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, garlic, dried basil, chili flakes; saute for about 7-8 minutes or until just softened.
• Add the cooked sausage meat back to the skillet or pot with the chopped drained tomatoes, parsley and black pepper (or cayenne if using) reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Add in 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese; mix to combine.
• Set oven to 350 degrees and butter a 8 x 8-inch baking dish (or larger).
• Transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
• Sprinkle the top with about 1-1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese.
• Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cheese melts and is bubbling.