Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Panini Recipe

Provolone and Broccoli Rabe Panini Recipe

  • 1/2 lb broccoli rabe, tough ends discarded
  • 2 flat anchovies, rinsed, patted dry, and chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 (8- to 9-inch) sliced (1/4 inch thick) fine-quality round Italian loaf
  • 1/3 lb sliced provolone
  1. Cook broccoli rabe in a 4-quart pot of boiling salted water , uncovered, until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain well in a colander, then chop.
  2. Cook anchovies and garlic in 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring, until garlic just begins to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add broccoli rabe and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
  3. Heat a panini or sandwich press according to manufacturer's instructions until hot. (Alternatively, heat a well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderate heat.)
  4. Brush 4 center slices of bread on 1 side with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. (Reserve remainder of loaf for another use.) Put slices, oiled sides down, on a work surface, then divide half of cheese between 2 slices. Top with all of broccoli rabe mixture, remaining cheese, and remaining 2 bread slices, oiled sides up.
  5. Put sandwiches on press, then pull down top onto sandwiches and cook until sandwiches are browned and crisp, 4 to 8 minutes. (If using grill pan, put a heavy pan on top of sandwiches and cook, turning sandwiches over once.)