Pasta and Paratha: Spinach & Cheese Panini

Friday, February 3, 2012

Spinach & Cheese Panini

Ok, so technically this is a regular sandwich, but by virtue of its instrument of cooking, it earned the name of a Panini (an Italian sandwich made with bread roll).

Sandwiches are a part of our weekly menu and a Panini maker has made things simpler and tastier. Now, before everybody starts thinking this post is an ad for my Panini maker, I better get down to business.

Everything from the use of whole wheat bread to spinach to low fat cheese makes this recipe healthy with an added potential of making it even healthier The sandwich with a future – that’s what I would like to call it.

Ingredients

Whole Wheat bread slices – as needed

Diced onion – ¼ cup

Chopped spinach – 2 cups

Low fat Mexican cheese – 1 cup

Red chili flakes – as tolerated

Butter – as preferred

Salt

Pepper

Heat a little amount of butter in a skillet and cook the diced onion for a couple of minutes. Add in spinach, cheese and spices. Stir well and cook for a couple of minutes till the cheese melts. Let the spinach cheese mixture cool for some time. Butter the bread slices. Spread the spinach cheese mixture generously on one slice and close it with the other. Grill it in the Panini press for the desired crunchiness.

Serving suggestions

· With Ketchup, chutney, chips.

Tips

· You can add any cheese of your choice, cheddar and mozzarella cheese also go well with spinach.

· You can add tomatoes too if preferred.

· You can use the full fat cheese if cooking for kids.

· You can use multi grain bread to make the sandwich healthier.

· You can limit the amount of butter or skip it altogether.

Interesting fact

· Cheese gives out a better flavor and texture when allowed to warm up to room temperature before eating.

· Traditionally, a “Ciabata” or “Rosetta” bread loaf is used to make Panini(s) in Italy.

This Panini is going to