stacey79
10-08-2008, 08:06 AM
I used to make these a lot and basically forgot about them. As we are trying to eat at home even more often these days (like everyone else in this crazy economy), I bought the stuff to make them again for dinner this week.
I make mine without any meat and use a slice of tomato. Of course, tomato is bad for many IC patients (except some can tolerate yellow tomatoes), so you can totally customize it with what you like on there. I also don't do mayonnaise because the vinegar in it kills my bladder. Red bell peppers tend to be OK for most ICers, but try them in moderation if you're not sure. I know I've read they're a good source of vitamin C, which can be otherwise tricky for us to get.
The spray margarine does OK for me, but you can leave that out completely if you want. Or you can melt a bit of butter and use that instead. I know that sometimes that stuff can be tricky for our crazy bladders, too.
Oh, and I make these in the toaster oven sometimes, too. It works well when I'm just making one for myself for lunch or something.
Easy Paninis
Ingredients:
4 English muffins, split
Shredded mozzarella or pizza cheese
Medium red bell pepper, sliced
Medium tomato, sliced
Spray margarine (or melted butter)
Chicken, cooked and sliced, optional
Mayonnaise, optional
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray the inside of the English muffin with spray margarine, using just enough to very lightly coat the muffin.
3. Place the muffins buttered side up on a baking sheet and put in the oven for two or three minutes to start the toasting process.
4. Remove the muffins from the oven. Sprinkle cheese on each half.
5. Return to the oven and bake for about five minutes, until cheese starts to melt.
6. Remove from the oven and top each half with one slice of tomato, a slice or two of red pepper and chicken if desired.
7. Return to oven and bake three to four minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.
8. Remove from oven. Add mayonnaise if desired. Place halves together to make four paninis. Serve warm.
I make mine without any meat and use a slice of tomato. Of course, tomato is bad for many IC patients (except some can tolerate yellow tomatoes), so you can totally customize it with what you like on there. I also don't do mayonnaise because the vinegar in it kills my bladder. Red bell peppers tend to be OK for most ICers, but try them in moderation if you're not sure. I know I've read they're a good source of vitamin C, which can be otherwise tricky for us to get.
The spray margarine does OK for me, but you can leave that out completely if you want. Or you can melt a bit of butter and use that instead. I know that sometimes that stuff can be tricky for our crazy bladders, too.
Oh, and I make these in the toaster oven sometimes, too. It works well when I'm just making one for myself for lunch or something.
Easy Paninis
Ingredients:
4 English muffins, split
Shredded mozzarella or pizza cheese
Medium red bell pepper, sliced
Medium tomato, sliced
Spray margarine (or melted butter)
Chicken, cooked and sliced, optional
Mayonnaise, optional
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Spray the inside of the English muffin with spray margarine, using just enough to very lightly coat the muffin.
3. Place the muffins buttered side up on a baking sheet and put in the oven for two or three minutes to start the toasting process.
4. Remove the muffins from the oven. Sprinkle cheese on each half.
5. Return to the oven and bake for about five minutes, until cheese starts to melt.
6. Remove from the oven and top each half with one slice of tomato, a slice or two of red pepper and chicken if desired.
7. Return to oven and bake three to four minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.
8. Remove from oven. Add mayonnaise if desired. Place halves together to make four paninis. Serve warm.