Carbon Steel and Mark's Caprese Grilled Cheese
Carbon Steel Cookware: A New Essential
Carbon steel pans offer a naturally nonstick coating juxtaposed to many other nonstick pans using a chemical or ceramic coating. Once established, this natural nonstick finish cannot be damaged by things like heat or metal utensils. Consider a carbon steel pan like a lightweight alternative to your favorite cast iron pan. Perfect for baking, searing meat, or achieving that perfect golden-brown crust on vegetables, a good carbon steel pan is an essential tool in any kitchen.
Tramontina's Carbon Steel is durable and versatile. Reach for it to prepare evenly seared steaks, stir-fried vegetables, or scrambled eggs for one, or pop it in the oven to bake your skillet cookies and cobblers. The pan's unique carbon steel construction makes it one of the most durable pans you'll own. Carbon steel can handle high temperatures for perfect sears, and it can go from stovetop to oven with ease. The finishing is Nitro Carbonized with Natural Oil Finish. A riveted steel handle with removable silicone sleeve on the fry pans gives you easy control and protection. Made in Brazil.
Mark's Caprese Grilled Cheese
As summer begins to come to a close and the days shorten, we know that soon our gardens of fresh, home-grown tomatoes will give way to winter. Those of us who love tomatoes cherish the evenings where we can go to the garden and pick the evening's harvest of the gorgeous, ripe fruit.
The Caprese Salad is a very simple way to enjoy the bright flavors of the garden gold. With a bowl of torn fresh water mozzarella, garden grown tomatoes and hand torn basil leaves topped with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and pepper we can create a healthy and beautiful dish. Now we can turn that salad into s scrumptious grilled cheese sandwich. This treat is great for rainy evenings, on the go lunches or just a semi-sinful treat.
Ingredients:
8 thick slices Italian bread
8 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 large tomatoes, sliced
2 tablespoons hand-torn fresh basil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar reduction
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions:
1. On four slices of bread, layer mozzarella cheese and tomatoes; sprinkle with the basil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Top with remaining bread.
2. In a small bowl, combine the oil, Parmesan cheese and garlic powder; brush over the outsides of each sandwich.
3. In a carbon steel fry pan over medium heat, toast sandwiches until golden brown on both sides and cheese is melted.
Serves: 4
