Toasted tomato and mozzarella Panini

This is my version of a knockoff Panera bread sandwich! I was out running errands and needed something quick to eat. Panera is one of the fast food places out there that does try and offer some organic options. Anyway, I ordered one of their sandwiches and could not eat it fast enough, it was so delicious! Noting that it only had a few ingredients, I knew I had to try and re-create this so I could have it anytime (and for much cheaper!). We even thought this would be good with grilled chicken or even Applegate bacon on it—sort of a fancy BLT! I hope you love this sandwich as much as I did! ~Briana

Ingredients for this sandwich:

Organic or homemade bread

Baby spinach (organic)

Baby or ball mozzarella (organic if you can find it!)

Tomatoes (organic)

1 jar organic Marinara

1 tbsp Garlic paste

1 tsp Italian seasoning

2 tsp Garlic salt

Organic unsalted butter for your bread

*First, I got my marinara ready. I have to say the organic marinara at my grocery store is not the tastiest. But it’s my only glass jar organic option, so I buy it and jazz it up! I took a cup of the marinara and added the garlic paste, Italian seasoning and garlic salt. Those are the approximate measurements I used, but feel free to add those until your sauce tastes the way you want it to!

Then slice your tomatoes and mozzarella. Butter the bread and set aside.

Get your cast iron pan hot (or fire up your panini press if you have one!) and place one piece of bread, butter down, in the pan.

Layer: spinach, marinara, mozzarella, and tomato. Top with other piece of bread. Now place a smaller cast iron pan on top of the sandwich for the panini effect!

Once both sides are golden and toasted, cut in half and serve!