Caponata Picnic Sandwiches

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Show: Everyday ItalianEpisode: Italian Picnicking

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (87)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(87)

Cook Time:
35 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 35 min
Total:: 55 min

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Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1 celery stalk, chopped
1 medium eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
Salt
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium onion, chopped
1(14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
3 tablespoons raisins
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon drained capers
1 loaf ciabatta bread, cut crosswise into 6 equal pieces
2 garlic cloves, peeled
6 slices (1/3-inch-thick) drained fresh water-packed mozzarella

Directions

Heat 1/4 cup of the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add the celery and saute until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Add the eggplant and saute until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with salt. Add the red pepper and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion and saute until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes with their juices, raisins, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat until the flavors blend and the mixture thickens, stirring often, about 20 minutes. Add the vinegar, sugar, and capers. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Cut the bread pieces horizontally in half. Grill the bread cut-side down on a grill pan over medium-high heat until golden, about 2 minutes. Rub the whole garlic cloves over the toasted side of the bread. Add a slice of mozzarella to bread bottom, spoon the caponata on top, cover with the other bread half, and serve.

To take for a picnic: Wrap the sandwiches separately in plastic wrap or parchment paper. Chill until ready to serve, or keep at room temperature up to 1 hour.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Caponata Picnic Sandwiches
Grisel Waterbury, CT 09-27-2009
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Best sandwich I ever had in my life!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is the first review I have ever written for any recipe, so this def. made a good impression on me....we made this for a... romantic picnic and followed the recipe exactly except for the celery...it was absolutely the best thing i have ever had...and it was even better the next day..it was the only thing we ate during the whole weekend....and were sad to see it finish!.....thanks giada!Read more
recipe Caponata Picnic Sandwiches
asd ads, AK 09-12-2009
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Very good!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Excellent recipe! My only complaint is that 1/2" pieces isn't very clear. That's only one dimension. The raisins are a great... touch, I would omit half the sugar next time though. It's crucial that you use good mozzarella and ciabata for the best results.Read more
recipe Caponata Picnic Sandwiches
Jessica ny, NY 08-14-2009
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WOW!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

i made this recipe WITHOUT the raisins and sugar. it was soooo sosoosososososo goood! my boyfriend is a HUGE meat eater and... he even said "this is so good, it doesnt even need meat." everyone was amazed at how good it was. i am going to continue to make this again and again, maybe mixing in lobster or octopus next time (as giada suggests in the video) and serving with rice. SOOOO amazing! thanks Giada :)Read more
recipe Caponata Picnic Sandwiches
Lori Charlotte, NC 07-22-2009
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A Huge Hit!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I made these sandwiches for an Independence Day picnic and they were fantastic! Giada has never disappointed me ever -- and... this was no exception. Since I didn't see the episode, I was a bit conflicted about how coarsely to chop the vegetables, but it didn't matter -- it was so good and all cooked together beautifully. I used golden raisins (the ingredient that was SO important), and left out the capers, as I am not a fan of them. I will make this again and again -- will probably make a batch to take on a beach rental vacation. We can use it to make sandwiches for several meals. It makes a lot -- I made 10 sandwiches plus, I think. FABULOUS.Read more
recipe Caponata Picnic Sandwiches
Mary Oakland, MD 06-14-2009
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WOW
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Giada never lets me down. I even used the capers and I am not a caper fan but I trust her so I threw them in and they are... just perfect with all the other wonderful flavors. It never ceases to amaze me - the simpler you keep things, the better the recipe. Let the flavors of the food you ook shine and you will end up with delicious food everytime. I did not have red wine vinegar and just used apple cider and it was still just wonderful. It is nice to have a recipe that you can throw leftover veggies in as well. Thanks Giada!!! Leaving for a picnic now!Read more
recipe Caponata Picnic Sandwiches
Marki sherwood, OR 06-09-2009
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So Delicious!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I wanted to serve this for lunch, so I got everything together the night before. It smelled so good that my boyfriend and I... had to try it. We loved it!! Plus, it was just as good the next day. I love ciabatta, especially toasted. It held up well to the vegetables and the mozzarella just added a little more yummy goodness! P.S. the leftovers are also good tossed with warm picolini penne pasta and parmesan cheese with little cubes of mozzarella. Grazie Giada you never disappoint me! Keep bringing heat in the kitchen! ~M~Read more