Sunday 4 March 2012

"Panini di Funghi al Pesto e Mozzarella" (Mushroom "Panini" With a Fantastic Mozzarella and Pesto Filling )



I  so WANT Spring to be here! I need the warmth, the comfort, the colours and scent of renewal. I want to shake the weight of a long, dark Winter off my mind and my body... I look for "signs" everywhere around me.
This time last year, we were in Italy. I had almost forgotten about the scent of the freesias and the cherry and almond blossom and the sense of happy, new beginnings, under a blue sky. But it suddenly all came back to me...
I felt a bit homesick, today... it was raining over my daffodils and my first camellia flowers were already being bruised by the rain. I felt sad and needed to "create" something really, really fragrant, full of flavour and colour... something beautiful and NEW which would remind me of HOME!
So... I created a delicious new dish you won't find anywhere else, because it's all mine!
Here it is:





"Panini" di Funghi al Pesto e Mozzarella
Mushroom "Panini" With a Mozzarella and Pesto Filling

Ingredients:
(makes 2)
4 large Portobello mushrooms
2 eggs
4 tbsp breadcrumbs
1 tbsp grated Parmesan
Salt
Black pepper
2 leaves fresh basil
some flour and extra bredacrumbs for coating
some olive oil
(for the baking tin)
For the green pesto:
A handful fresh basil
or a mixture of basil and rucola (rocket)
1 small clove garlic
1 slice fresh red chilli pepper
(optional)
2 tbsp pine kernels
or any other nut
(I used mixed nuts)
2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
2-3 tbsp olive oil
Before I started, I made my pesto, by simply placing all the ingredients in a small food mixer and blitzing it all together. I also made red pesto, to be used as garnish (see below.)






I then removed the stalks out of the mushroom, which I chopped and placed in small dish, with 1 small egg ( I only used half of the egg white, in case my stuffing was too runny!) 4 tbsp breadcrumbs, a couple of torn basil leaves, some salt and black pepper. I mixed these ingredients to make a lovely stuffing, which I then divided into two equal portions and placed in the middle of two of my four mushrooms.





Next, I placed a small portion of my green pesto, some rucola (rocket) leaves and a slice of mozzarella into the other two mushrooms. Now, I was ready to sandwich the four halves together, to make two "panini!"





My "panini" looked so gorgeous, big, fat, filled with the scent of spring and full of promise! The next thing I did, was to carefully coat my "panini" with flour, then "dipped" in whisked egg (I used egg #2, for this) and finally, coated in a generous dusting of lovely breadcrumbs.
Though I had previously intended to fry my mushroom, I then decided that there was no need for the extra unhealthy calories, so, I judst poured a tiny bit of olive oil on the base of a baking dish and cooked my "panini" in a hot oven (190 C, 375F, Gas 5)






As my mushrooms cooked, I could smell the aroma of my lovely homemade pesto (you can use the bought kind, if you want to simplify the recipe!) and the rucola, the basil, and I could feel the heat coming from the oven!
Twenty minutes later.... my "panini" were ready! The cheese and the pesto had combined their flavour... melted mozzarella was oozing out of the mushrooms... the breadcrumbs had turned a wonderful golden colour and I couldn't help but have a taste of the savoury delight I had created. It tasted so good, a word is yet to be invented to describe my new dish.





PS: I also made red pesto, as I wanted to use it as garnish, using four sun dried tomatoes and a small handful of rucola (rocket leaves) instead of the mixture of basil and rucola I used to make my green pesto. I used a tiny amount of red pesto as garnish for my "panini" and the rest I had with fresh homemade cavatelli (yes, I made them!)







I will not be modest: the result was delicious!



30 comments:

  1. O yes I'm sure that it tasted delicious!

    I hope your homesickness iss over now and you have a nice sunday!

    ♥ Franka

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    Replies
    1. Ciao Franka! My homesickness is over and, having just followed Lucio Dalla's funeral on RAI TV (he was my favourite singer) I feel more positive! Life is good!

      My home is always there for me... my Italy is waiting for me, and I'll be there, very, very soon!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xxx

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  2. I love how you cheer yourself up when homesick. Cooking and the aroma of home and Mamma's kitchen always brings comfort.
    The panini would be delicious right now, even if it is 6 a.m.

    Have a great Sunday and thank you for your recent comments

    Helen xx

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    Replies
    1. Being able to cheer myself up is a talent of mine, Helen. Sometimes it works, other times I need help, and often I plunge into sadness. I think it happens to everyone.

      I am glad, though that I have been able to create this little sunny corner, which I share with all of you.

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

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  3. Wow Anna, once again you whet my appetite.. what a delicious idea..
    This one as some of your other recipies is a must..
    Spring is nearly here Anna.. I can imagine how you must miss Italy..
    A vida totalmente differente...mais aberto.. persoas cheia da vida..
    I love this blog..you add a little of Italy to your English home.
    I at least have one ingrediente..the red pesto.. will be making this..

    "Anna's Panini"!

    have a wonderful Sunday
    ciao.. x x x
    val

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    1. Hi Val! How are you? You got the essence of what I was trying to say (I know what you say when you write in Portugues!)

      Yes... In Spring I always miss my home, but... it usually doesn't last very long. The thing is that Italy is a place which is blesse in "TTO MANY" ways!

      Try my mushroms, Val! Delicious!

      BUONA DOMENICA!

      ANNA

      xxx

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  4. The blossom and camellias have yet to come out and the daffodils are slowly blooming after the extreme cold, all much later than last year. Those panini look delicious and making me hungry, off to enjoy some of my husbands home made bread for lunch now.

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    1. My panini are special, Lindy, because they are not bread, but beautiful, big, jucey mushrooms!

      My camellia is huge and full of flowers, and the daffodils are trying very hard!

      I'll be in Italy on the 27th!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

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    2. Silly me, they do look like bread, trust you to make something so different and special Anna! I hope Italy has warmed up by the time you arrive, struggled to reach 7C today. My camellia is looking very sick.

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    3. Lindy, the Adriatic side of Italy is going to be really warm. The other side... your side... we'll see when we get there, but it's usually coolore, in Spring.

      My "panini"... that's why I wrote the word in inverted commas, isn't bread, but mushrooms. And quite delicious, too! There is some bread(crumbs) in the filling, so you don't need more bread with them! ingenious, I would say, wouldn't you! "Elementary, Mr. Watson!"

      My camellia is fantastic, even after two days of solid rain. It's a really massive, huge tree! I've had it for a very long time!

      BUONA NOTTE

      ANNA

      xxx

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  5. Carissima Anna - Even if you hadn't been modest - I would not have believed you anyway! This recipe is WOW, WOW, WOW and AAAHHHsome! Those mushrooms look so delicious I must try this recipe tomorrow right away! And the cavatelli - cute and surely very tasty too. There is nothing better than homemade pasta! Sorry Anna, but there was something good about the rain, your sadness... something great came out of it and surely you are smiling again and me - I am smiling as well! Thank you! xxxxx Christa

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  6. Dear Christa,
    You always make me smile... yes, I am smiling, but it's been raining all day and I can hear a very strong wind blowing outside. The red currant bushes I planted yesterday must be getting a good soak!

    I know you will love this recipe, Christa! It's so good, I couldn't even describe its flavour. I sent you a lasagna recipe yesterday. I hope you got my email! If you didn't let me know.

    ABBRACCI

    ANNA

    xxx

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  7. Oh Wow Anna! They look so scrumptous! I love stuffed mushrooms and often experiment with the fillings but never thought to make them like this. You are so inspired and clever with your recipes. And as always, I love your photographs. I was a little sad today but digging and tidying in my garden has cheered me up- there are so many signs that spring is on its way! Jane xx

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    1. Hi Jabe! I'm happy to see that you are feeling a bit happier than you did this morning. I feel like in a Limbo. It's been raining non stop for two days and it's cold. I do hope Spring is on its way! The bad weather always comes when my gigantic camellia is in flower and spoils it!

      Try my dish... it's a lot more than just stuffed mushrooms: it's very special. If you don't want to make pesto, you can buy the stuff in jars.

      BUONA NOTTE

      ANNA

      xx

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    2. Jane... how would you feel about a different name? Jabe, for example!

      Sorry for the silly mistake (NOT WEARING MY GLASSES AGAIN!)

      HUGS

      ABBA (I've done this before... MAMMA MIA!)

      ANNA

      xx

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    3. Anna, Only just got back to reading blogs again, life has been hectic. Being called Jabe reminded me of being a little child and my younger brother calling me Dane as he couldn't pronounce my name properly! Have a happy weekend. Jabe xx

      Delete
    4. Dear "Jabe" The bad news is I'm not wearing my glasses, again!

      I understand about things being "hectic" as my life is tha same. By tomorroe I have to write two assignments for a course I'm on, plus finish a very important one I'm working on. Juggling things is very hard!

      My husband and I are going to Italy befote Easter, and I can't wait! I'm so excited, though the main reason why we are going has nothing to do with fun.

      Can't wait to sit on that plane, though, with our Italian crossword (that's what we do when the plane takes off-helps me take my mind off it!) and relax with my favourite: G&T!

      Have a lovely weekend!

      ABBA (I quite like this!)

      xxxx

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  8. You sure know the cure for nostalgia...I love this recipe because I love mushrooms and I also try to eat less bread (I adore bread)...and so I will try. I hope the rain clears for you soon. Though I like the sun immensely I fear that we have had very little rain this year...Love your pictures....xx

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    1. Thank you for loving my pictures. I would like to learn more about photography, and I will.

      We had rain here for 48 hours, but it finally stopped. All my strawberries and red currants have been fully watered and my big, beautiful cherry tree looks happy!

      Try my recipe and give lots of little kisses to your lovely big little boy cats, from me. I love them both!

      ANNA

      xxx

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  9. Dear Anna,
    Thank you for your comment. Your cooking looks delicious !!
    I live for 33 years at Thessaloniki. (north and middle) and I was born in Grevena ( west and north).There live ours parents.
    Have a nice day
    Olympia

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    Replies
    1. Yiasou, Olympia! Ti Kanis? Ime kala, especially as it stopped raining, today!

      Thessaloniki sounds good to me, and so does Grevena, all of it, West and North, because I just love Greece! You were very lucky to be born there. Western civilization wouldn't existe without Rome and Greece! Great people! I feel that our countries have deep ties (remember your post "I AM GREEK?" Well, Olympia "I AM GREEK!")

      Kali Nichta!

      ANNA

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  10. Hi Anna,
    This "panini" looks so amazing. I love stuffed mushrooms, and I have never seen anything like this before. I wish I could jump through my computer and have a taste. The melted mozzeralla is making my mouth water. Looks so good! My husband loves mushrooms too, so I will have to make this for him : )
    So sorry you were feeling homesick. The weather is cold and gloomy around here too. I am counting the days until Spring. I can't wait to open the windows and let in the warm, fresh, air. I'm craving my garden and flowers. Creativity is the best cure. So glad being in the kitchen helped : )

    Danielle xo

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    Replies
    1. Hi Danielle! I am glad you like my creation. It's a truly delicious dish! Lots of good flavours all in one place! The melting mozzarella combined with pesto is just heavenly!

      We are not having a very good Spring, but the signs are all there. Sooner or later, Spring will come! I can't wait to see more colour in the garden!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

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  11. What a beatiful idea Anna, mushrooms like panini! This panini looks delicious. Francesca

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    Replies
    1. Ciao Francesca!

      I'm glad you like my "panini" Have you ever grown mushrooms? Here you can buy "Grow your your mushrooms kits" I can buy several kinds of mushrooms, which I love, especially with pasta.

      I piu` buoni, che qui non trovo, sono quelli sevatici, di bosco... BUONI!

      BUONA NOTTE!

      ANNA

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  12. Dear Anna - I have just made some pesto, and now I know something different I can do with it. Putting pesto in mushrooms and using them like bread is an interesting concept, and a much more healthy option. Thanks for the idea, I cannot wait to try it out. Ciao x

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    1. Hi Rosemary! I hope you try this dish, as it's really new and different!
      I have enjoyed your post on Sicily enormously and had written a comment, when I lost everything! Sicily is very beautiful and I would have been the first one to guess where you had been, because of the Pupi Siciliani (the puppets) which are one of the symbols of the Italian island!To me, they would have been an instant giveaway!

      I'm waiting for Part2, Rosemary! I enjoy your blog very much!

      CIAO!

      ANNA

      xx

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    2. Dear Anna - sorry you lost everything, I had it in my mind that you would be the one to get it correct. I have done Part 2 but will probably wait a week before I put it up. Ciao, Anna and thanks for all the lovely food ideas.

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  13. Hej Anna! I feel I'm jumping right into a crowd of very fine cooks, but I just want to tell you from one cook, who isn't a cook, to a real cook that I find your recipe so delicious and exciting that I would like to do something similar, but I won't tell the result. I might be bad. I'll have to go to weight-control at the doctor Wednesday,but after this!! Oh, I can almost feel the scent in the kitchen now. I love Italian food. Your blog is lovely.

    Grethe ´)

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  14. Hi Grethe! And welcome to my blog! This recipe isn't too bad, as nothing is fried and the ingredients are all healthy!

    Keep reading, Grethe, and plese do comment any time you like!

    I'm so glad you could almost smell the scent of my food: it means I am able to communicate with my readers.

    Off to Italy, next week, to take lots of exciting photos and "grab" new food ideas! So... keep reading!

    CIAO!

    ANNA
    x

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