Recipe: Ham & Cheese Panini

the appetizer:

So Easy by Ellie Krieger, includes health-conscious recipes like Cheddar-Apple Quesadilla; Ham & Cheese Panini; and Panzanella with Chicken Sausage.

Cookbook

Ham & Cheese Panini

Makes 4 Servings
Serving Size: 1 Sandwich

Grilled ham and cheese is an everyday, easy lunch fallback taken to a new level here with tender prosciutto, intensely flavorful provolone cheese, and peppery radicchio toasted to melty perfection on crusty bread.

Per Serving: Calories 280; Total Fat 15 G; Sat Fat 6 G; Mono Fat 4 G; Poly Fat 0.5 G; Protein 22 G; Carb 21 G; Fiber 4 G; Cholesterol 40 Mg; Sodium 1200 Mg

Excellent Source of Calcium, Protein, Vitamin K
Good Source of Fiber, Folate, Niacin, Phosphorus, Riboflavin, Thiamin

1 8-ounce loaf whole-grain Italian bread
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
12 radicchio leaves
16 large basil leaves
4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
4 slices provolone cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil
Cooking spray

Slice the bread loaf in half lengthwise. Scoop out the bread to remove the soft inner portion and discard. Slice the loaf crosswise into 4 equal-size pieces. Drizzle the inside of each roll with 1-1/2 teaspoons of the vinegar. Layer 3 radicchio leaves, 4 basil leaves, 1 ounce of prosciutto, and 1 ounce of provolone in each roll. Sprinkle with the pepper. Close the rolls and brush each panini with 1/2 teaspoon of the olive oil.

Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet or other skillet over medium-high heat and spray with cooking spray. Place 2 sandwiches in the skillet and weigh them down with another skillet or a panini weight. Toast until the cheese begins to melt and the bread is browned and toasted on the edges, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the sandwiches and toast for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and slice in half; repeat with the remaining 2 sandwiches.

Eating Well Tip

Scooping out the inside of your crusty bread leaves you more room for the goodies inside your sandwich, and has 25 percent fewer calories than unscooped bread.