An Orgasm in a Panini Press

An Orgasm in a Panini Press

If I was going to actually name the ingredients in this to use as the title...we would be here all day. So I call this one - An Orgasm in a Panini Press. It contains the most fantastic blend of sweet Italian sausage, caramelized onions, mozzarella and Romano cheese...all on oil and garlic rubbed rustic bread.

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
4 cloves of garlic, smashed
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup apple juice or balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon sugar
4 links sweet Italian sausages
8 to 16 thick slices fresh mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
Eight 1/2-inch-thick slices of crusty, rustic bread
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil and the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions, 3 tablespoons apple juice, 1/2 teaspoon sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. Reduce the heat to medium low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden-brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon apple juice and cook about 1 minute more.
Meanwhile, in another 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil until hot. Add the sausages and cook until browned and heated through, 5 to 6 minutes. Cut in half lengthwise and cook an addition 5 minutes until browned on the inside. Keep warm.
Heat the panini press. Rub the bread slices with the smashed garlic cloves and drizzle with some olive oil. Place 2 slices of mozzarella, one sausage link, 1 to 2 tablespoons of Romano, then adding the onions on 1 slice of the bread. Top with another slice. Cook the sandwiches in the press until browned and crisp, 3 to 6 minutes.

Footnotes - The amount of your mozzarella slices depends on the size of your mozzarella ball. If using smaller balls, use 4 slices on each piece of bread. If it is a larger ball, use only 2. Also, you can use garlic infused oil (I make my own) instead of rubbing each slice with garlic then drizzling with oil. Try experimenting with different herbs too such as basil and rosemary.