Rock 'n' Ranch Panini

Kids Recipe Challenge Winning Recipe: Honourable mention! [Category: School day lunch, grades 4-6]

Megan, from Petrolia, shares with us the secret ingredient for this yummy lunch – “it’s the ranch dressing”.

Megan says, “This sandwich is like a twisted grilled cheese, it has all 4 food groups and it is good warm or cold. Be sure to let it cool completely before packing it for your lunch because the steam will make the bread soft.” Serve with 100% apple juice and a side green salad.

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 5 minutes

Serves: 1

Tips

If you don’t have a panini press, you can use a nonstick skillet and turn the sandwich about halfway during cooking to brown both sides of the bread, just like a regular grilled cheese sandwich.
Use leftover tomato slices to make more sandwiches. Or, chop up and use in salads or spaghetti sauce.
Put leftovers away within 2 hours or sooner if they are in a warm location.

Ingredients
Soft, non-hydrogenated margarine	1 tsp (5 mL)
Whole grain bread	2 slices
Tomato	1
Part skim mozzarella cheese	1 slice (about 15 g/0.5 oz)
Deli turkey, chicken or ham	2 slices (about 30 g/1 oz)
Light ranch style salad dressing or honey mustard	2 tsp (10 mL)

Directions

Wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Clean all countertops and equipment used for food preparation.   
Spread margarine on one side of each slice of bread.
Gently rinse tomato under cool running water, then slice.
Place 1 slice of bread, margarine side down on panini press and top with cheese, deli meat and two slices of tomato.
Spread ranch dressing on remaining bread slice and place on top with margarine side out.
Close panini press and cook for about 5 minutes or until golden brown.