Name: Puttanesca Grilled Cheese with Fried Capers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1/4 cup olive oil; 8 garlic cloves, crushed; 3 anchovy fillets, chopped; 2 (15 ounce) cans Tuttorosso® Crushed Tomatoes with Roasted Garlic 15 oz; 2 (14.5 ounce) cans Tuttorosso® Petite Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz; 1/2 cup olives, pitted, plus 2 tablespoons Kalamata olive juice; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; 1/4 cup canola oil, or fry oil of choice; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/4 cup capers; sourdough bread; 3 slices fresh mozzarella cheese, or 1/2 cup shredded; basil leaves, for topping; olive oil

This isn’t your average grilled cheese! Imagine a warm, crispy sourdough bread encasing a delicious filling inspired by the bold flavors of Puttanesca sauce. This elevated grilled cheese combines the comforting richness of melted cheese with the vibrant, savory, and slightly spicy notes of puttanesca.

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
8 garlic cloves, crushed
3 anchovy fillets, chopped
2 (15 ounce) cans Tuttorosso® Crushed Tomatoes with Roasted Garlic 15 oz
2 (14.5 ounce) cans Tuttorosso® Petite Diced Tomatoes 14.5 oz
1/2 cup olives, pitted, plus 2 tablespoons Kalamata olive juice
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, crushed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup canola oil, or fry oil of choice
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup capers
sourdough bread
3 slices fresh mozzarella cheese, or 1/2 cup shredded
basil leaves, for topping
olive oil

Instructions

Puttanesca Sauce – Step one

In a large skillet or Dutch oven, over medium heat, add oil. Cook garlic and onion until fragrant, 1 minute. Add anchovies and cook 1 minute. Add Tuttorosso Crushed Tomatoes Roasted Garlic and Tuttorosso Petite Diced Tomatoes, olives and red pepper flakes. Add in olive juice. Let come to a simmer, stirring often, about 15-20 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Fried Capers – Step one

Meanwhile, add oil to a pan and let it heat. Add flour to a bowl and drain capers. Add capers to flour and coat evenly. When the oil is hot, add capers. Cook for about 3-5 minutes or until they start to brown and crisp. Remove and place on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Grilled Cheese – Step one

Add a thin layer of Puttanesca sauce to sour dough bread. Add fried capers, mozzarella and a few sprigs of basil. Add a piece of bread on top. Add oil or butter to a pan and add sandwich. Cook on medium heat for 3-5 minutes per side or until cheese is melted and bread is nicely browned.