Monday, September 5, 2011

Sensational Sandwiches


This sandwich will blow your mind. Adam and I have recreated it several times since we made the original. We cannot get enough. The lavash bread becomes wonderfully crispy and golden when preparing it in this way. The tomato, spinach, and mozzarella go perfectly with the chile dipping sauce. The next time you are looking for a super quick and satisfying meal, this is it!

Spinach and Mozzarella Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Chile Dipping Sauce (Vegetarian Planet, Didi Emmons)

Chile Dipping Sauce:
1 tsp. hot chile sauce
2 Tbs. mayonnaise
2 Tbs. plain whole, low-fat, or nonfat yogurt, or nonfat sour cream
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 small garlic clove, minced

Sandwiches:
6 oz. fresh spinach (large stems removed)
2 fresh pieces of lavash bread, or 1 large split pita pocket
2 plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced thin crosswise
2 oz. mozzarella cheese, grated (or sliced, if it's fresh mozzarella)
salt and fresh-ground black pepper to taste
2 Tbs. olive oil

1. Make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, combine the chile sauce with the mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, cider vinegar, and garlic. Stir well.
2. Steam the spinach over high heat for 2 minutes. Let the spinach cool.
3. Lay one of the pieces of lavash or pita on your work surface, with a short side of the bread directly in front of you if you are using lavash. Lay half of the tomatoes across the bread, about 3 inches from the side closest to you. Squeeze any excess water from the spinach, then lay half of it on the tomatoes. Sprinkle or lay half of the mozzarella on top of the tomatoes and spinach. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Then roll the bread, starting with the side closest to you, as tightly as possible. Follow the same procedure for the second sandwich.
4. Heat the olive oil in a large (preferably non-stick) skillet over medium heat. Place the two rolled sandwiches in the skillet, and place another skillet or sandwich press on top to weigh the sandwiches down. Cook the sandwiches for about 4 minutes or until they are golden brown, then turn them and cook them on the other side for 4 minutes more, checking the undersides frequently. Cut the sandwiches in half, and serve each with a small bowl of the dipping sauce.

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