Mediterranean Panini: Tapenade, Tofu, Roasted Pepper

Lately we've included a weekly sandwich/soup dinner and it's been more delicious than I expected! Sometimes the simplest dishes are the best. A variety of vegetables, some pan-crisped tofu, briny tapenade and slightly crunchy bread make for a hearty meal that takes moments to prepare. The warm, slightly crispy tofu almost mimics warm mozzarella. Just enough to transform this sandwich into something extraordinary.

I find most jarred tapenades far too oily and packed with useless fat calories. It takes about 2 minutes to make your own, and it is worth the time. Of course, if you're crunched for time, use prepared tapenade, but drain the excess oil and blot with a paper towel to remove even more oil.There's really no need for it!

Like all meals, the finer the ingredients, the better the finished product and good bread makes a big impact in this dish! I've found a bread company I like so much that I am inspired to start baking my own bread this weekend. If you're in the So Cal area, keep an eye out for Old Town Baking Co. bread.



Serves 2
INGREDIENTS:

• 4 slices good bread
• 2 sandwich-sized slices of extra firm, pressed organic tofu
• garlic powder
• small handful kalamata olives, pitted
• small handful of water packed artichoke hearts
• 3 oil packed sun dried tomatoes
• 1 jar roasted red peppers, drained and sliced (or roast your own!)
• 1 handful fresh spinach leaves
• 1 Tbsp nayonaise

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat large pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
2. In food processor, pulse olives, artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes into a tapenade. Set aside.
3. Pat tofu dry and season with garlic powder. Spray pan or skillet with cooking spray. Add tofu to pan and cook about 3 minutes per side until slightly crisp and golden brown. Remove tofu from pan. Keep pan on heat.
4. Assemble sandwiches: Spread tapenade on bread, top with spinach, tofu, jarred peppers, spread nayonaise on other slice of bread and place on top. 
5. Spray pan with cooking spray and gently add sandwich to pan. Press down on top of sandwich slightly to squish. Cook until bread is golden, about 1-2 minutes then spray top of sandwich with cooking spray and gently flip. Cook other side about 1-2 minutes.
6. Remove to a plate, slice in half and serve.