PRESSED BROCCOLI RABE AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

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Pressed Broccoli Rabe and Mozzarella Sandwiches image

I love these sandwiches. They're a vegetarian cross between a New Orleans-style muffuletta (hey olive salad!) and a Philadelphia-style pork and broccoli rabe sandwich. They're also inspired by a passage I once read about how legendary food writer M. F. K. Fisher made a guest sit on a wrapped sandwich while they chatted so it would be perfectly pressed in time for lunch. Ha! When these sandwiches are pressed, the olive and caper mixture soaks into the bread and the cheese and garlicky broccoli rabe become really good friends. The broccoli rabe can also be served as a side dish with the olive mixture spooned on top (or you can mix the lot with cooked pasta and call it dinner). If you can't find or don't like broccoli rabe, substitute regular broccoli or any dark, leafy green such as kale.

Provided by Julia Turshen

Categories     Sandwich     Dinner     Lunch     Vegetarian     Leafy Green     Broccoli Rabe     Mozzarella     Olive

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

3/4 lb [340 g] broccoli rabe (an average bunch), tough stems discarded, roughly chopped
3 Tbsp olive oil
Kosher salt
2 large garlic cloves, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes
1/4 cup [40 g] green olives, pitted and finely chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp drained brined capers, finely chopped
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
4 individual-size sandwich rolls, split (I like rolls with sesame seeds for this, but you do you)
1 lb [455 g] fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Steps:

  • Pour water to a depth of 1 in [2.5 cm] into a medium pot and set over high heat. When the water boils, add a large pinch of salt and then the broccoli rabe and cook, stirring, until bright green and slightly wilted, about 30 seconds. Drain the broccoli rabe in a colander, wipe the pot dry, and return it to high heat. Add 2 Tbsp of the olive oil, the garlic, and the red pepper flakes and stir the garlic into the oil until it's fragrant, just 15 seconds. Immediately add the drained broccoli rabe and a large pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until the broccoli rabe is coated with the garlicky oil and is a bit more softened, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set the broccoli rabe aside to cool down a bit.
  • In a small bowl, combine the olives, capers, vinegar, the remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, and a small pinch of salt and stir together. Place the rolls, cut-side up, on a work surface and evenly distribute the olive mixture among the rolls, putting some on both halves of each roll. Divide the mozzarella and broccoli rabe evenly among the rolls, close the rolls, and then tightly wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap. Place something flat and heavy on top of the sandwiches, such as a large cast-iron skillet. Let the sandwiches sit under this weight for at least an hour before eating or putting them in your backpack.

Ndagire Jovia
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I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to cook broccoli rabe. This recipe is definitely a winner! The sandwiches are delicious and the broccoli rabe is cooked perfectly.


Glenn Eason
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These sandwiches are so easy to make and they're so delicious. I love that I can use up leftover broccoli rabe in them. I'll definitely be making these again and again.


Linda Nelson
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I made these sandwiches for my family and they loved them. The broccoli rabe was a nice change from the usual lettuce and tomato. I'll definitely be making these again.


Alee Khan
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These sandwiches are the perfect comfort food. They're warm, cheesy, and delicious. I love them!


Chinedu Daniel Ozor
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I'm not a big fan of sandwiches, but these are amazing! The broccoli rabe is cooked perfectly and the mozzarella cheese is melted and gooey. I'll definitely be making these again.


Sanjida Hossain Rana
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These sandwiches are so good! I couldn't stop eating them. I'll definitely be making them again soon.


Chooza Gaming
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I love the combination of broccoli rabe and mozzarella cheese in these sandwiches. The bread is toasted perfectly and the whole sandwich comes together perfectly.


Kmi
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I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to cook broccoli rabe. This recipe is definitely a winner! The sandwiches are delicious and the broccoli rabe is cooked perfectly.


World_ Cricket3
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These sandwiches are so easy to make and they're so delicious. I love that I can use up leftover broccoli rabe in them. I'll definitely be making these again and again.


Kisha Hayes
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I made these sandwiches for a party and they were a huge hit! Everyone loved them. I'll definitely be making them again for my next party.


William Deschene
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These sandwiches are perfect for a quick and easy lunch or dinner. They're also great for packed lunches. I've made them several times now and they're always a hit.


Atelina Verebasaga
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I'm not a huge fan of broccoli rabe, but I decided to give this recipe a try anyway. I'm so glad I did! The sandwiches were delicious and I couldn't even taste the broccoli rabe. I'll definitely be making these again.


Vae Brown
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These sandwiches are so good! The broccoli rabe is crispy and flavorful, and the mozzarella cheese is melted and gooey. The bread is toasted perfectly and the whole sandwich comes together perfectly.


Ch Afzal
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I love broccoli rabe and mozzarella, so I knew I had to try this recipe. I wasn't disappointed! The sandwiches were delicious and easy to make. I will definitely be making them again.


The Ultimate Puppeteer weeb
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Made these sandwiches for dinner tonight and they were a hit! The broccoli rabe was perfectly cooked and the mozzarella cheese was melted and gooey. I'll definitely be making these again.