Deliciousness

My friend Liz recently blogged about her new panini press and after reading her post I decided to pull my out and make some delicious sandwiches!

Recipe from the February 2011 issue of Clean Eating

Goat Cheese and Kalamata Paninis
14 pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
4 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1  12-oz whole-grain Italian loaf bread, halved lengthwise
2 cups baby spinach leaves
2 1/2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
1 large tomato sliced
olive oil cooking spray


In a medium bowl, combine olives, onion, garlic, basil, pepper flakes, and vinegar.  Place bread halves on cutting board cut side up, and spoon olive mixture onto bottom half of bread.  Top with spinach, cheese, and tomato.  Top with other half of bread and press down lightly to adhere. Using a serrated knife, cut bread into 4 equal pieces.


Heat a large skillet or (panini press) over medium high heat.  Coat with non stick spray, then add sandwiches.  If using the pan add weight to sandwiches by covering them with a sheet of aluminum foil, then top with something heavy (a stack of plates, another smaller heavier skillet etc).  Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until lightly golden on the bottom.  Remove, flip the sandwich, and brown the other side.  I'm not an expert on panini presses but the one we have has a light which turns green when the sandwich is done and of course you can lift the lid and take a look for yourself. 


So very yummy.  I enjoy meatless meals (and prefer them) but The Husband is a dedicated meat eater and he really liked it, so that's saying something!