Italian Panini with Broccoli Rabe and Soppressata

True Italian paninis are about restraint—when you’re using great ingredients, all you need is a slice or two each of cheese and cured meat. A thin layer of broccoli rabe brings it all into balance.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Cook broccoli rabe in a large pot of boiling salted water, uncovered, until tender, about 4 minutes. Drain well in a colander, then chop.
  2. Heat half of the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat, then add garlic and cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant and just begins to turn golden, about 1 minute.
  3. Add broccoli rabe and cook, stirring frequently, 5 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Heat a panini or sandwich press according to manufacturer's instructions until hot. (Alternatively, heat a well-seasoned ridged grill pan over medium heat.)
  6. Brush the bread on 1 side with the remaining oil.
  7. Put slices, oiled sides down, on a work surface, then divide the cheese and soppressata evenly between 4 of the slices.
  8. Spoon some of the broccoli rabe mixture over the soppressata.
  9. Top with the remaining 4 bread slices, oiled sides up.
  10. Put sandwiches on press, then pull down top onto sandwiches and cook until sandwiches are browned and crisp, 4 to 8 minutes. (If using a grill pan, put a heavy pan on top of sandwiches and cook, turning sandwiches over once.)
  11. Remove from heat, cut sandwiches in half, and serve immediately.