Broccolini Panini

serves 3-4
recipe adapted from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook

• 1 lb. broccolini
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for brushing bread
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced small
• salt & freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped
• pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 8x 12 inch slab focaccia, with edges trimmed
• 1/4 lb. fresh Bocconcini mozzarella, torn into small pieces
• 1/2 cup favorite marinara sauce

 

Remove broccolini’s heavy stems, and chop into 1/2 inch pieces. Heat the butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and pinch of salt & pepper, and cook until onion is translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the chopped broccolini and cook until leaves become tender, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper and continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes. Take broccolini off the heat and squeeze fresh lemon juice on top and stir to combine.

Heat a well seasoned grill pan or panini press over medium high heat. Cut focaccia in half and evenly spread broccolini on one side. Top with torn bocconcini and finish with salt & pepper. Sandwich the other piece of focaccia on top and brush each side of focaccia with olive oil. Place sandwich on the panini press and cook for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is throughly melted.  Cut into small rectangular sandwiches and serve with a side of marinara for dipping while sandwiches are still hot.