Healthy sandwiches you can make with a panini press

by Brittany Anas · September 20, 2013

(Panini Press from K-Mart. It also doubles as a sandwich maker and a waffle maker)

By Brittany Anas

Some foods we just tend to associate with restaurants. Like paninis. We love the warm, toasted sandwich, fancied up by gooey provolone or a creamy basil spread. Whether you want a new kind of sandwich for lunch or a deli-style soup-and-salad combination for dinner, paninis are perfect for the cooler days ahead of us. But, you don’t have to head out to the bakery or deli to get a gourmet sandwich. You can make them at home with the help of a panini press.

An affordable — and yet still top-of-the line option — is the Chef Buddy 3 in 1 Sandwich Maker on sale for $32.25 at K-Mart. Get 7 percent Cash Back, coupons and other offers at K-Mart when you buy through ShopAtHome.com. The machine has a trio of heat plates you can switch out — make waffles in the morning, paninis and sandwiches for lunch and pizza pockets for dinner.

Here’s a few panini ideas that will make your kitchen feel like it’s a gourmet cafe:

Grown-up Grilled Cheese with Brie: Did you know you could eat grilled cheese as an adult? Better yet … did you know there is a way to make healthy grilled cheese sandwiches. Saute a quarter of a thinly sliced sweet onion (we like vidalia onions!) in a 1/4 cup apple cider or apple juice until they are browned. On a piece of sourdough add some thin slices of Brie cheese and thin slices of green apple (about 1/4 of an apple). Top with a piece of sourdough, grill until the cheese is melted and the bread is crispy.

A healthier Philly Cheese Steak: This grilled cheese steak recipe straight from the City of Brotherly Love gets a healthy twist because it’s filled up with veggies, too. You’ll use mushrooms, bell peppers, onions and hot banana peppers to bring a little fire — along with sirloin steak and reduced fat provolone cheese. Find the full recipe here.

Cinnamon-Banana Panini: In a breakfast rut? You’ll love this easy-to-make panini recipe that packs protein and potassium. (Or you could make it for a healthy after-school or after-work snack). Make a sandwich by spreading peanut butter on two slices of whole grain bread, add banana slices, sprinkle a dash of ground cinnamon on it and then cook in the panini press until your sandwich is golden brown.

Chicken and Avocado Panini: Call this one the Californian. This sandwich is made with a healthy combination of avocado, red onion, cilantro, jalapenos, chicken breast and Monterrey jack cheese. Get the full recipe here.