Smoky Caprese Sandwiches

Valerie Bertinelli grills sweet onions to amp up the smoky flavor in her Italian-inspired sandwiches ?

• Difficulty: Easy
• Category: Lunch
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

• 4 sandwich-sized ciabatta rolls, split through the middle
• 1 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rings
• 5 tbsp olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves, cut into chiffonade
• 1/2 cup smoked almonds, chopped
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 large heirloom tomatoes, preferably mixed colors, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 cup arugula

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. If your ciabatta rolls are very bready, pick out a little of the crumb. Put the rolls on a baking pan and bake until warm and crisp on the outside, about 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat a small grill pan or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until very hot. Toss the red onion in 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle with a little salt, then grill, turning occasionally, until slightly softened and charred in spots, about 6 minutes.
4. Stir together the basil, smoked almonds, crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl.
5. Arrange the bottom halves of the ciabatta rolls on a work surface. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then arrange the tomatoes on top; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Next, top evenly with the onions, followed by the almond mixture. Lay the mozzarella on top; sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with a little more olive oil. Top with the arugula and serve immediately.