Grilled Panini With Roasted Portabello Mushrooms and Red Onions
Mushrooms add interesting flavors to dishes, and different mushrooms, treated in different ways, even more so.
These recipes use three different mushrooms. The panini, topped with portabellos, make a satisfying, casual meal. Marta Curca, a friend from Romania, makes this unusual mushroom soup with wild mushrooms and white mushrooms. It’s substantial but not heavy. When buying mushrooms, be sure to choose those that are blemish-free with a fresh, smooth, firm surface. Always refrigerate fresh mushrooms. If they are wrapped in plastic, remove it before storing them. Leave them exposed to the air in the container or wrap in paper towels.
When ready to use, try to brush fresh mushrooms clean; wash them only if they’re especially dirty by placing them in a colander and quickly rinsing with cold water. Dry with paper towels. Trim off any bruised spots, tough or dirty ends or edges, and the stem if it looks dry. Remove the dry fibrous end of a portabello stem and its gills. Use a melon baller or a grapefruit spoon to remove the gills.
Basil vinaigrette
Combine the basil leaves, vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper in a mini-processor. Add the oil; mix well. (This can be made a few hours ahead and left at room temperature.) Set aside 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons for the mushrooms and onions.
Panini
Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
Brush both sides of the mushrooms with 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons of the reserved vinaigrette. Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the onion slices in a bowl; toss with the remaining reserved tablespoon of vinaigrette. Mound them on the baking sheet with the mushrooms.
Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are cooked down but still retain some texture, about 25 to 30 minutes. Set them aside until cool enough to handle, then cut the mushrooms on the bias into 4 to 5 slices. Coarsely chop the onions. (This can be done several hours ahead; keep at room temperature.)
To assemble, brush some vinaigrette on the bread. Divide the onions evenly and spread them on 4 slices. Arrange the arugula on each to cover, dividing evenly. Layer the cheese over each. Fan each portabello, overlapping, over the cheese. Season with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Close the panini. (This can be done several hours ahead.)
Spray oil on a large grill pan or frying pan. Heat until hot over medium heat; lightly spray oil on the outer surfaces of the panini. Cook, covered, until browned on one side, 3 minutes; turn, gently compress, then brown the other side, about 3 minutes more.
Let rest 5 minutes before cutting in half. Serve hot.
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