Il Cucinologo
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Panino with Tuna, Grilled Vegetables, and Stracciatella

17/11/2023

Here is the recipe for a delicious panino with tuna, grilled vegetables, and stracciatella, embodying the simplicity and flavor of Italian cuisine.

Ingredients

  • 1 ciabatta or baguette roll
  • 150 grams of fresh tuna or high-quality tuna in oil
  • 1 zucchini
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 small eggplant
  • 100 grams of stracciatella di bufala
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Preparation

  1. Start by grilling the vegetables. Cut the zucchini and eggplant into lengthwise slices, and the bell pepper into wide strips. Grill the vegetables on a hot griddle or grill until tender and marked with characteristic dark lines. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.

  2. If using fresh tuna, cut it into slices about 2 cm thick, season with salt and pepper, and grill for 1-2 minutes per side, depending on your preferred doneness. If using tuna in oil, drain it well.

  3. Cut the panino in half and, if desired, lightly toast it on the griddle or in the oven.

  4. To assemble the panino, start with a layer of grilled vegetables. On top, add the tuna, then generously distribute the stracciatella di bufala.

  5. Garnish with a few fresh basil leaves to your taste.

  6. Drizzle everything with a thread of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of black pepper if desired.

  7. Close the panino with the other half of the bread and press lightly to compact the ingredients.

  8. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and creaminess of the stracciatella combined with the grilled flavor of the vegetables and the savoriness of the tuna.

Interesting Facts

Stracciatella di bufala is a typical Apulian cheese, made with strips of buffalo mozzarella and cream. It is known for its creamy and flavorful texture that pairs exceptionally well with the freshness of grilled vegetables and the texture of tuna. This panino represents an encounter between sea and land, typical of Italian pairings where simple, clean flavors enhance each other.