Crisp crust, warm tasty fillings with melted cheese _ no wonder paninis have become popular. Here's a quick version filled with smoked turkey from the deli, roasted red pepper, fresh basil and goat cheese. There's almost no prep work. The sandwich can be assembled in minutes.
You don't need a special panini press. Simply place the sandwich in a skillet and press it down with a lid that will fit inside the skillet. Continue to press until the panini is cooked. Or, place another skillet over the panini to press it down and add a large can or other weight on top.
Ciabatta bread is the typical bread used for a panini. It's an Italian bread shaped like a slipper and takes its name from ciabatta, the Italian word for slipper. It's long, wide and a little flat and perfect for sandwiches. You can use a large baguette, Italian sub roll or focaccia.
Helpful Hints:
_ Shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese or a stronger cheese such as gorgonzola can be used instead of goat cheese.
_ Sliced ham or chicken can be used instead of turkey.
_ Saute the paninis over medium-low heat so the insides will warm and the crust will be crisp and golden brown, not black.
Countdown:
_ Assemble panini and start to cook.
_ While sandwich cooks, assemble salad.
_ Finish panini.
Shopping List:
Here are the ingredients you'll need for tonight's Dinner in Minutes.
To buy: 1 ciabatta bread (about 8 ounces), { pound sliced low-sodium smoked turkey breast, 1 jar roasted red peppers, 1 package crumbled goat cheese, 1 bunch basil, 1 bunch arugula and 1 bag washed, ready-to-eat Italian-style salad
Staples: Olive oil, garlic, olive oil spray and reduced-fat salad dressing.
