Turkey Panini Rustico

Recently, I tried the turkey panini at a local coffeehouse chain.  Loved it and wanted to try to recreate it at home.  With some trial and error, I created my Turkey Panini Rustico.  This delicious panini can easily be made in a skillet or in a panini maker.  The best part – you probably have most, if not all, these ingredients on hand!  Feel free to customize the toppings – I am not a big spinach-on-sandwiches fan, so I left mine off.  But, pile it in on yours if you like! Don’t like onions or tomatoes?  Leave them off!   This quick and delicious panini will definitely become a family favorite!

Turkey Panini Rustico

1 medium onion, sliced and broken into rings

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1 teaspoon garlic salt

5 teaspoons butter substitute, divided

4 sandwich thins

4 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 pound deli turkey

4 slices light Swiss cheese

Tomato slices and/or Spinach leaves, optional

In small, non-stick skillet over medium-low heat, melt 1 teaspoon butter.  Add onions and saute until tender.  Sprinkle brown sugar and garlic salt on onions, stir to coat and then remove from heat and set aside.

If using a panini maker: follow manufacturer directions to preheat the maker.  Spread 1/2 teaspoon of butter on outside of each sandwich thin.  Place butter side down on panini maker, then spread 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard on top.  Layer 4 ounces turkey, 1 slice cheese, 1/4 of onion mixture, and tomatoes and spinach (if using.)  Top with remaining sandwich thin, butter side up.  Cook panini as directed.

If using a skillet: place sandwich thin butter side down in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.  Top with 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.  Layer 2 ounces turkey, 1 slice cheese, 1/4 of onion mixture, and tomatoes and spinach (if using.)  Top with remaining sandwich thin, butter side up.  Cook for 4-5 minutes, occasionally pressing down on sandwich with spatula.  Flip carefully and continue cooking on second side for an additional 4-5 minutes, again pressing down on sandwich with spatula occasionally.

Serves 4

 281 Calories | 9.7 Fat | 30.6 Carbs | 3.5 Sat Fat

24.5 Protein |  5.2 Sugar | 819.4 Sodium | 6.4 Fiber

Please note: The nutritional calculations are included as a reference only.  Please recalculate your own values based on the ingredients you use and/or the amount you eat.