Turkey Panini with a Spinach Artichoke Spread Recipe

Everyone loves those fancy paninis at cafe's but not so much when it comes to price.  Here is my version of a popular favorite- a Turkey Panini with a Spinach Artichoke Spread.  Imagine a creamy, cheesy, artichoke spread with a slight kick, between two warm pieces of crispy soft bread.  I love adding the spinach, not only for the extra nutrients, but it looks so beautiful layered on top of the bright red tomatoes.  Also, with Thanksgiving coming up, here is a great idea what to do with all those leftovers!

1/4 cup of Hellman's mayonnaise

1/4 cup of ricotta cheese

1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder

1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

1/4 cup of fresh baby spinach

1/2 cup of artichoke hearts

Few Dashes of hot sauce

8 ounces of turkey, sliced

1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar

4-6 tomato slices

1 loaf of focaccia bread

1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

Salt and Ground Pepper

1.  Combine the mayo, ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, spinach, artichoke hearts and hot sauce in a food processor and combine until the ingredients turn into a spread.  

2.  Preheat your panini maker, or you can use a frying pan and then use another frying pan to push down on the sandwiches to "flatten"  it.  

3.  Slice the focaccia bread in half.  Spread the cheesy spinach-artichoke mixture on both sides of the bread.  Layer the turkey and then add the tomato slices.  Drizzle balsamic vinegar on top of the tomatoes and desired amount of salt and ground pepper.   Top with the other half of bread. 

4.  Brush both sides of the bread with the oil and grill until golden brown.  Slice into individual sandwiches and enjoy!

Italian Meatball Sub Sandwich Recipe

Sometimes nothing quite hits the spot than homemade meatballs.  These are simple to make, and every time I make these with spaghetti I always get compliments!  I like to pair these sandwiches with a simple arugula salad to balance out the huge hoagies!  But make sure you make my FRESH tomato sauce and don't cheat by using jarred. 

For The Meatballs

1 lb. of ground beef ( I like to use the kind that is 97% fat free, trust me you won't be missing a thing, other than of course the fat)

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons italian flat leaf parsley, chopped finely

1 egg

1/4 cup of parmesan romano cheese

1/4 cup of italian style breadcrumbs

Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

1 loaf of Italian Bread

4 slices of mozzarella cheese

1 1/2 cups of my Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce

1.  Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients and combine well with your hands.  Form meat into 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet.

Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce Recipe

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 yellow onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

10 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/3 cup of white wine

1 teaspoon of chili pepper flakes

20 leaves of basil, cut into long strips

1 can of tomato paste

In a large pot, add the olive oil, onion and garlic.  Saute for a few minutes, or until the onions begin to get soft.  Stir in the tomatoes, wine, chili flakes and fresh basil.  Bring up to a boil and then turn down under low.  Cook for about 20 minutes, then add in the can of tomato paste to thicken.  Cook for about another 20 minutes and then serve.  If desired you can add up too a 1/4 cup of water to sauce for a less thick sauce.  

2.  Bake for about 20-25 minutes.  Half way through make sure you turn the meat balls with a spatula.  

3.  Slice the bread lengthwise.  Add about a half cup of sauce on the the bread.  Add the meatballs and then top with the remaining tomato sauce.  Add slice cheese and bake for about 5 minutes or until lightly toasted.  

Double Berry Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe

Get your Labor Day on!  This is a deliciously sweet, mildly fruity barbeque sauce that is balanced out with a jaleopeno kick to it!  This grilling season you are going to want to slather all your meat in it!  I like it because it helps me to empty out all the leftover sauces and jams in my fridge, that I feel guilty tossing since there isn't a whole lot left.  Top with my No Mayo 5 Ingredient Coleslaw for a crunch!  It's super easy to make and the ginger in it pairs lovely with this sauce.  

  

1/3 cup cup of blackberry jam

1/3 cup of strawberry jam

1 cup of barbecue sauce (I used 2/3 cup of Famous Dave's and then used up whatever else was in the fridge)

2 teaspoons of season all

2 tablespoons of Worcestshire sauce

2 jaleponos, minced finely

1 yellow onion, diced

3 large, skinless boneless chicken breasts

Hamburger buns

1.  Mix all the ingredients together, besides the chicken in a bowl, until well combined.  In a slow cooker add the chicken and pour sauce over it.  Cover and cook 3-4 hours on high.  Shred chicken with a fork and serve with my No Mayo 5 Ingredient Coleslaw

Marinated Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Recipe

Whoever said that grilled cheese was only for kids?!  So move over, here is a gourmet grilled cheese for adults, that even the kids will love.  It's perfect for a snack or for a light lunch paired with soup or salad.  I read somewhere that using mayo instead of butter, cuts down on your fat intake, but still leaves the sandwich grilled to perfection.  I love that this recipe looks fancy without putting forth a whole lot of time or effort.  

4 slices of sourdough bread

5 oz of marinated mozzarella cheese (I used Cappiello marinated Mozzarella Braid) sliced into 8 pieces

1 tomato sliced

4 tablespoons of fat-free mayonnaise

1.  On both sides of the bread spread mayonnaise all over it.  Place 4 slices of mozzarella on one slice of bread.  Add two tomato slices on top of the cheese and then cover with another piece of bread.  

2.  On a griddle or large skillet grill the sandwich on medium heat until the cheese is completely melted, turning once. 

3.  Transfer the sandwich to a separate plate and then cut diagonally.  

Saddle Up Roast Beef Sammies Recipe

I hope you guys are ready for the horse races this weekend in the Richmond area!  With my Saddle Up Roast Beef Sammies you will be.  This delicous sandwich has a tangy, sweet mango chutney spread that pairs nicely with the summertime.  This is a quick and simple recipe to keep on hand if you are serving any finger foods this season.  Make sure to watch the video below!

1/2 of a french loaf sliced (makes about 8 sandwiches)

1/4 cup of mango chutney

1/2 pound of sliced roast beef from the deli

2 green onions chopped

3 tablespoons of worchestshire sauce

8 triangle slices of swiss cheese

Butter

1.  Take the roast beef and add it to a bowl.  Make sure to individually separate each piece.  Drizzle the worchestshire sauce on top with the green onions and stir so the marinade can evenly distribute on the meat.  (I like to use the thick worchestshire sauce so it doesn't make the bread soggy).

2.  Take two pieces of sliced bread for the sandwich.  On the outer pieces spread butter on it so it will not stick to your pan.  On the two inner pieces spread the mango chutney on it, like mustard. 

3.  Add roast beef and swiss cheese in between two pieces of bread (remember to keep butter sides out).  Set your griddle to medium to medium high for the temperature and add sandwiches.  Grill both sides until toasted and lightly brown.