CARAMELIZED ONION, MOZZARELLA AND BASIL PANINI

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Caramelize onion first: heat butter in a large skillet on medium heat. Add slices of onion and cook slowly over medium heat until translucent. Add pinch of salt halfway through and, if you wish, add sugar (Julia Child does it. I did it, it was tasty. But some call this loathsome. Do what feels good.) Stir frequently, like every minute or two, so they don’t burn, but cook until onions are brown like almonds or walnuts. Cooking time will likely take about 30-40 minutes. Set aside.

Step 2

Drizzle olive oil on both sides of bread. On one piece of bread, layer on thin slices of mozzarella, then layer on caramelized onion. Throw on arugula (dressed in olive oil and pepper, of course). Finish with basil, then layer on a few more thin slices of mozzarella (having cheese on both the bottom and top of the sandwich helps to keep the sandwich together as the cheese melts). Top with other slice of bread, and drizzle more olive oil on top to make give the bread color when it toasts. Place in pan and place panini press on top. Toast for 2-3 minutes on each side, turning once carefully. Remove from pan and cut into bite sized pieces. Serves two extremely hungry people, or cut it into quarters for hearty appetizer portions for four.