Day 21: Turkey and Red Pepper Panini

Paul had CPR training until 6:30, so I knew I wouldn't get a chance to make an elaborate meal with both kids running around. This was in my WW: Simply Delicious cookbook and sounded intriguing to me. Plus, I had fresh basil in the fridge from a different recipe and didn't want to end up throwing it out.

My mom gave us a panini maker she got for Christmas. It still had the price tag on it...$15 from Walgreen's. The first time I used it I didn't expect much from it, but to my amazement it cooked a sandwich pretty damn well. So, knowing that I could use this machine again, I happily bought the necessary ingredients for this recipe.

Turkey and Red Pepper Panini( 1 full sandwich)
2 oz(4inch) piece of french bread or Semolina bread
1/3 cup jarred roasted red peppers, sliced
1/4 teaspoon olive oil
2 large basil leaves
3 slices(1 oz) low fat deli turkey
1/4 cup part skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Step 1: Slice bread lengthwise almost all the way through

Step 2: Lay red pepper on bottom half. Drizzle with olive oil and top with basil, turkey and cheese.

Step 3: Gently flatten sandwich with palm of your hand(aka fold the top half on top of the bottom half)

Step 4: Use a panini maker to grill sandwich until crispy. If you do not have a panini maker, spray a nonstick pan and heat to med-high. Place the sandwich in pan. Use a heavy pan to place on top of sandwich. Flip sandwich over after 2-3 minutes and replace heavy pan on top of sandwich for another 2-3 minutes.

Calories: 148(1/2 sandwich) WW: 3 points

Kitchen Play by Play: It took a few tries to figure out what they were talking about with the bread. I could not visualize the cutting. I figured it out after butchering almost half the loaf of Three Cheese Semolina Bread. The rest was super easy and self explanatory. This meal was prepped and on the table in 8 minutes. I did not have basil on mine, and I used extra cheese on both of ours. I had hummus with mine, and Paul had baked chips with his.

The Finished Product
The Verdict:
Nicole: I thought it was good. Clearly, I had a full sandwich. Who can eat just a half for dinner? I, personally, would have liked a sauce of some sort. Maybe a roasted red pepper aioli. I really enjoyed the bread and the melted cheese. It was a nice change from the regular turkey sandwich. I give it a 3.5. A sauce would elevate it to a strong 4.

Paul- gives it a 3.5. "Good flavor, but a little too small for a sandwich."

Austin-didn't eat it. He had an impromptu date with Grandma Cathi at the Costco. They ate there. He told grandma, " Maybe I'll have a hot dog and a slice of pizza."