Megan's Panini Sandwiches

Paninis (or panino for one sandwich) are flattened, crisp grilled sandwiches that are typically made using sandwich presses or grills, which give them beautiful grill marks and ridges. Don't fret if you don't have a panini press--I don't either. You can improvise by using everyday kitchen tools to make a restaurant-quality (and healthy!) panino.

You can use a George Forman grill or any type of skillet or grill pan.

If you are using a skillet or grill pan, you will need something heavy to lay on top of the sandwiches to press them down. You can use a small, heavy skillet (which is what I normally do) or any other type of weighted object. I've seen cooks wrap a brick with a kitchen towel or aluminum foil to use as a press.

I got this recipe from my good friend Megan, who makes this recipe all the time. She uses all sorts of different ingredients depending on her mood (and you should too!), but this is her favorite.

The artichoke hearts give this recipe an earthy kick, and also deliver great sources of fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium. These nutrient loaded veggies from the Mediterranean are very low in calories and fat, but make sure you get them packaged in water rather than oil. You can save up to 100 calories and 9 grams of fat by switching to the water-packed cans. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 4 pieces of 100% whole wheat bread
• 2 TB Dijon mustard
• 6 slices of mesquite barbeque chicken from the deli
• 2 slices of havarti plain cheese from the deli
• 1 small Roma tomato (thinly sliced)
• 1/8 red onion (thinly sliced)
• 1/4 cup of canned artichoke hearts (chopped)
• 4 fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cast iron skillet, grill pan, panini press, or George Forman grill.

Makes two sandwiches.

Directions:

• Heat cast iron skillet to medium high heat
• Lightly cover one side of each piece of bread with Dijon mustard
• Layer bread with chicken, cheese, tomato, onion, artichoke hearts, basil, salt and pepper, until you have two complete sandwiches.
• Place the sandwiches in ungreased skillet.
• Place another skillet on top of the sandwiches to gently flatten and press them.
• Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, watching carefully so they do not burn.
• They are complete when the bread has browned and the cheese has melted.

Nutritional information:

Calories: 353.6

Total Fat: 11.6g

Cholesterol: 70.mg

Carbohydrates: 30.2

Dietary Fiber: 11.4g

Sugars: 0.8g                                                                                   

Vitamin A: 16.9%                                                                                               Megan and her panino

Vitamin C: 6.2%

Calcium: 45.6%

Iron: 6.0%