In Italy the term panini refers to any sandwich, whether warm or cold, pressed or not. What makes this different from your average tuna salad sandwich is the garbanzo bean spread; it lends a creamy, earthy flavor that’s a thousand times better than any mayonnaise-y sauce and keeps the tuna from tasting dry.

　　

Ingredients

8 servings

　　

Garbanzo Bean Spread

1 (15 1/2-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

　　2 garlic cloves

　　1/4 cup fresh mint leaves

　　2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

　　3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

　　3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

　　1/4 teaspoon salt

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　

Panini

1 cup pitted black olives, finely chopped

　　2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

　　1/2 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　2 (5 1/2-ounce) cans Italian tuna in olive oil, drained

　　1 (13 3/4-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained

　　8 mini baguettes, halved lengthwise

　　2 cups arugula

　　

For the Garbanzo Bean Spread

Step 1

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

　　

To Make the Panini

Step 2

Combine the black olives, olive oil, salt, pepper, tuna, and artichokes in a bowl and toss gently to mix.

　　

Step 3

Lay out the sliced baguettes. Spread both halves of the baguettes with the garbanzo bean spread. Spoon the tuna mixture onto the bottom half of each sandwich and top with the arugula. Close up the sandwiches. Wrap one end of each sandwich in parchment paper to make it easier to eat, if you like.

　　Reprinted with permission from Giada's Kitchen: New Italian Favorites by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2008 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.