panini for a quick meal

A couple of weeks ago, I was working another weekend where I didn't get home till after 6 p.m. When I get home at that time, my husband prefers that I prepare something that's rather quick for me after being on my feet for four hours.

What we hadn't had in a while was a delicious, spicy, yet sweet panini from a restaurant called Cutty's in Brookline, Massachusetts. We must have been watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on the Food Network when we spotted this panini that had garlicky broccoli rabe, fresh mozzarella and tomato jam. The combination of ingredients makes for a tasty sandwich.

Instead of making homemade tomato jam, I was able to locate a jar at Delicious Orchards in Colts Neck. Instead of rolls, I purchased a loaf of Italian bread at Whole Foods and sliced it for easier toasting. I did prep the broccoli rabe ahead so that when I got home, I merely had to assemble the sandwich. 

If you don't own a panini press and don't want to purchase one, you can use a frying pan, place a heat resistant plate on top of the sandwich and place a 28-35 oz. can of tomatoes on top of the sandwich and press down on it has it begins to heat up. Remove the plate, turn the sandwich over and repeat. I used this method with a cast iron skillet, but I could only do one sandwich at a time. Hence, a shopping trip to Williams-Sonoma one holiday, a sale on a panini press and now I can make two at a time.