Saturday, October 23, 2010

Panini with Marinara Sauce


Crunchy bread, melty cheese, meaty mushrooms, and garlicky tomato sauce...this is comfort food if I've ever had it. Paninis have quickly become one of my go-to meals when I am lacking any motivation to cook but want a seriously satisfying and delicious meal.


2 slices multigrain baguette (3/4 inch thick each)
2 medium cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup warmed Easy Marinara Sauce
1/4 cup 2% shredded mozzarella
10 leaves spinach
1 tsp olive oil
sprinkle of garlic salt  

Sauté mushrooms with 1/2 tsp oil and garlic, remove from heat and set aside for now

Preheat a grill or panini pan to about 300F over medium high heat

Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on each slice of bread (about 1/2 tbsp on each piece), reserve the rest for dipping
On one slice of bread layer on top of the marinara sauce, in this order: 1/8 cup of cheese, 5 spinach leaves, sauteed mushrooms, 5 spinach leaves, and then the rest of the cheese
Put second slice of bread on top of the last layer of cheese  and gently push down
Spray or brush a little bit of the remaining olive oil on bread and sprinkle with garlic salt
Place oiled side down on preheated pan but turn the heat down to low/medium and place a large heavy skillet on top of your sandwich
Cook on this side for about 10 minutes until the cheese has started to melt and outside is crispy
Before flipping repeat same steps (oil and garlic salt) for the side of sandwich that is facing up, then carefully flip and replace heavy skillet and grill for 7-8 minutes until bread is golden brown and crisp

Cut in half and serve with remaining Easy Marinara Sauce for dipping

Servings 1
Per serving 500 calories

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