I am a lone wolf in a sea of pumpkin.
I’d try to growl here, but it feels forced and awkward. Perhaps a gently, yet firm purr would be more fitting. Yes, let’s go with that. Purring wolves are more my style, even if they are a figment of my rather active imagination.
I’m okay with falling outside the norm too, especially since I have one more late summer inspired recipe to share. It’s an easy one, which should shock no one considering I declared myself easy years ago. It’s how the Hubby and I met. Just kidding; or am I?
For reasons I’m not entirely ready to delve into personally, much less publicly, I’m digging simplicity right now.
My kitchen labors of late have been minimal, which means I’d be happy to toast a bagel, smother it in cream cheese, and call it dinner. Of course, I would never actually do that.
I’ve totally done that.
Multiple times.
In keeping with my lone wolf status, I’ve been on the prowl for a way to keep things simple in the kitchen, while still ingesting a decent dose of nutrient dense food because while I may be feeling less than motivated, I’d prefer to keep my healthy status in check.
Enter boatloads of veggies stage left.
Plus beautiful bread because something has to fill in for the bagel.
Then again, you could go totally nuts and put this on a bagel. You could even mix and match your veggies to your little hearts content. I went with carrots, cucumbers, onions, radishes, sprouts, and tomatoes because they were in my crisper drawer. You could opt for avocado, banana peppers, pickles and zucchini, an unusual combo to be sure, but the choice is yours.
There is only one rule, although guideline would be more appropriate.
Keep it simple. Keep it a sandwich.
One caveat: while this is ridiculously good looking and easy to make, it can be a wee bit messy to eat, which is really an indication you’ve got yourself a good sandwich on your hands, quite literally. It’s also a sign you should keep a napkin or three handy. You have been warned.
A word about the actual sandwich: the melted cheese and warm hummus pair perfectly with the crunchy and flavor packed layers of vegetables. It’s a bundle of nutrients wrapped up in a bow of bread. It’s also ideal for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Be a lone wolf, make this Veggie Packed Panini.
- 4 slices good quality Bread
- 2 Tbsps. Hummus
- 2 Roma Tomatoes, sliced horizontally
- Salt & Pepper, a sprinkle of each
- 2 Radishes, sliced thinly
- 1/4 Onion, sliced into rings
- 1/4 Cucumber, sliced thinly and seeds (center) removed
- 2 small Carrots or 1 large Carrot, sliced matchstick style
- 1/3 cup Sprouts
- 4 large slices Swiss Cheese, enough to cover sandwich
- Olive Oil, a dab
- Turn on your Panini maker.*
- Slice all your veggies, so you're ready to assemble.
- Split hummus and spread it onto two of the slices of bread. Top with Roma tomato slices and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Layer on top in the following order: radishes, onion rings, cucumber slices, carrots, sprouts and Swiss Cheese. Finish with the other pieces of bread. Spread a touch of olive oil onto the bottom of Panini maker and also the outside of the top slices of bread.
- Place sandwiches on Panini maker, with the unoiled slice of bread on the bottom. Close lid and let grill for five minutes, until the sandwich is golden brown on the outside and warm on the inside.
- Remove from Panini maker and let sit for two minutes, allowing the cheese to firm up slightly.
- *If you don't have a Panini maker, you can make this on a skillet on your stovetop, no problem. Be sure to oil both outside slices of bread and flip the sandwich halfway through cooking. Cook on both sides until golden brown on the outside and warm on the inside.
- **Feel free to mix and match your veggies and cheese of choice.
Let it be known this is my last submission in a quest for sandwich porn. Looking for other simple weeknight sandwiches? Try one of these.
Are you craving simplicity right now too? If so, tell me why?
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
This looks way too delicious Megan! Veggies and cheese for days. You’ve mastered the sandwich porn.
Michele @ paleorunningmomma recently posted…Paleo Candied Pecan Apple Salad with Bacon
Meghan says
A master of sandwich porn. Gasp. Best compliment ever!! Thank you!
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Khushboo says
No one has ever described a sandwich better:”It’s a bundle of nutrients wrapped up in a bow of bread. It’s also ideal for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.” After a few days of travel, I am all about the simple meals- even a peanut butter sandwich & carrot sticks sound like an ideal, no-fuss lunch lately!
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Meghan says
I like playing with my food and bread bows seem like the perfect way to go. :O)
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Jen says
That looks sooooo good! Thanks for sharing. I might have to make a variation of this one. Yummy
Meghan says
YES! You should totally do it. Variation away!
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles says
This is a total me meal! I love simple in the kitchen and I love my veggies.
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Meghan says
I thought you might like this one. 🙂 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Suzy says
Zoolander would love this ridiculously good looking panini. My 15 year old calls paninis panenis, so it rhymes with penis. So frustrating. Okay so, I really need a panini maker. What’s a good one? I could use a panenis maker too.
Suzy recently posted…Anxiety: Part Three of a Zillion
Meghan says
I’m so glad someone caught the Zoolander reference and I’m even more thrilled it was you.
My Panini maker is a Breadman. I’m a fan, if only for the easy dinners. It’s a great way to use up leftover bread too.
http://www.amazon.com/Breadman-TR456-Panini-Maker/dp/B00008PC7M/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1442961431&sr=8-1&keywords=breadman+panini+maker
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Suzy says
K, thanks! This helps.
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Jamie says
This looks incredible. I want this for lunch!
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Meghan says
Do it. Make it. Eat it. Love it.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Haley says
This sandwich looks scrumptious! I definitely could live by your rule of keep it simple. Keep it a sandwich. I love sandwiches mostly because they are so easy to make and fill with veggies like you did here.
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Meghan says
Exactly. I think sandwich night should totally be a thing, just like Meatless Monday. We could call it Sandwich Sunday.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Haley says
Yes! I am definitely on board with Sandwich Sunday!
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heather says
I am licking the screen it looks so good. I love simplicity especially when it feels like I have so much going on I make sure we have a sandwich night once a week. Thanks
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
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Meghan says
I like it. We should start Sandwich Sundays. Make it official.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl says
This looks DELICIOUS. I’ll be making it on Udi’s GF bread in the panini press I just pulled out of (very long) hiding in my parents’ kitchen…
Alyssa @ Renaissancerunnergirl recently posted…Peanut Butter Confetti Muffins
Meghan says
Yes, bust out the Panini maker. You’ll be glad you did.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Juli@1000lovelythings says
Hello I am back 🙂
Yes, this sandwich is a good one. I love the use of sprouts!
One reason why I stuffed my face silly with sandwiches is that they make a quick and easy lunch/ dinner/ snack. But finally I might have had one too many. Now that autumn knocks on the door my cravings shift. Nevertheless I just had my favorite one for dinner: Avocado Cheese Panini! True sandwichporn 🙂
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Meghan says
I am thrilled to have you back and hopefully in Cleveland come November. Tell me it’s true. Pretty please.
I think I need an Avocado Cheese Sandwich for dinner tonight. Genius idea!
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Juli@1000lovelythings says
The flight is booked! So this is going to happen 🙂 🙂 🙂
Juli@1000lovelythings recently posted…My 5 least favorite Moments travelling the USA
Meghan says
Hooray!!
danielle says
sweet joy and yum with sunshine. i love hummus on good bread, and then add those delightful bliss wonders in the mix. mmm.
at first i was reading this and thought you said “it’s a three handy” meaning that it’s a sandwich that requires three hands.
now THAT had me stumped for a minute. where would i get the third hand? would i borrow a dog’s paw? and if so, which paw? what does the third hand do? oh right, hold the napkins… but i really struggled with the third hand. i barely have two good hands working at all times. can i just use a knife and fork? or spatula?!
clearly my cold flu has gotten to my brain… my mind is still wandering and is settling on the sprouts. and the third hand that will hold my napkins. or in my case, tissue box. xx
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Meghan says
I like getting a little handsey, especially if it means throwing in extra hands. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Nikki @ will run for pizza says
I’m eating delicious, homemade split pea soup, but that sandwich…oh my. It looks much more appealing than my soup. BUT, typically, anything that someone ELSE makes, looks delish. haha
Nikki @ will run for pizza recently posted…5 things on Sunday.
Meghan says
Agreed. Meals made for you by others always look fantastic. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
With cheese and hummus on this, you’ve already won me over!
I feel like I’m kind of the opposite of simple lately. With the turning of the seasons there are so many great flavours at the farmers market and I want to cook with them ALL lol.
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted…Sun Dried Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Feta
Meghan says
You’re welcome to use my kitchen anytime. 😉
Brittany says
Bagels and grapes…simplicity at its best. Glad you shared this beauty, and I now must get my panini press out and fired up.
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Meghan says
I adore a good Panini press. They are wonderful little inventions. I’ll have to send you some bread for yours. 🙂
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
Now that the temps are starting to rise here in Perth (seriously I am sweating buckets right now!) I am totally craving simple foods! Leftovers over some greens is where it is at for most of my lunches! Also salads, bring on all the salads!
Please don’t let this be your last summer recipe… pretty please!
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Meghan says
It’s probably my last summer recipe, although I’ll have plenty more veggie recipes. I can’t give those up. 🙂
Now that your summer is starting, eat all the berries for me.
athletic avocado says
mmm i love simple recipes like this! i haven’t made a panini in a while, thanks for reminding me 🙂
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Meghan says
No problem. Paninis have a special place in my heart…or really my belly.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Lisa @ Running Out Of Wine says
I am always craving simplicity when it comes to meals! I’ll try to get creative and then I realize how much work it can be. Sometimes the most basic meals like sandwiches are also the most satisfying.
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Meghan says
I agree. If you have good ingredients too, you really don’t need to do much with them. Let them shine as is.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
I’d never be one to pour cereal and milk into a bowl and call it dinner… except that I’ve totally done that. Multiple times 😉 And I forget what I had for dinner that one night in Toronto, but I’m sure it was just as epic 😆 I live for simplicity, especially since I’m just cooking for me and can’t be bothered to get all fancy in the kitchen when I’ll be the only one eating it.
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Meghan says
I’m pretty sure I had cheese, crackers and fruit. I can’t even remember what you had, but I’m sure it was simple. We should have just bought a box of cereal and some almond milk. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Sarah says
Oh do I have to pick just one? This is one of those situations where I would say you order this and I’ll order that and we can share so I can get a half of each one! So many delicious looking sandwiches!
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Meghan says
You don’t have to pick just one. I say make them all.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Chris says
Growl > purr.
Also, you are the only one that responded to my email and got my reference. So you win. At life. At everything.
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Meghan says
Sometimes you get more flies with purrs than you do roars.
That being said, roaring rocks. I’m just not feeling it right now. All is good though.
I love the old school tunes.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
I need simple too. We should have a phone therapy session.
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Meghan says
Agreed. Let’s simply everything. I’m pretty sure our reality show is beckoning.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Why didn’t you bring this for me haha. I would have devoured this over the poorly constituted Subway :p
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Meghan says
I know, you’re so right. Hangs head in shame.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
Frugal Foodie Frank says
Nothing wrong with a nice toasted bagel for dinner 🙂 Its officially fall today so I can’t hide my adoration for pumpkin treats any longer… though I promise I will keep their appearance on my blog to a minimum. The truth is I have no terrific pumpkin recipes, I just like to eat other people pumpkiny delights… ohh that sounds dirty.
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Meghan says
Don’t worry about little old me. I say go get your pumpkin on, clean or dirty.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe
MassachusEATS says
Gorgeous! The bread looks fantastic – what kind is it?
Meghan says
This one is Tuscan Herb Bread from the Breadsmith, my favorite local little bread shop. I puffy heart them.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Scrumptious Vegetable Packed Panini Recipe