Lunch Recipe: Mozzarella and Ham Panini

Ingredients

1 large loaf Italian bread (8 ounces) 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced 4 ounces shaved deli ham 2 ounces baby spinach (2 cups, loosely packed) Coarse salt and ground pepper 1 tablespoon olive oil

Prep: 15 mins | total time: 35 mins | Servings: 4

Directions

Step 1Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Split bread horizontally. Layer

one side with mozzarella, ham, and spinach, beginning and ending with mozzarella, seasoning with salt and pepper as you go. Close sandwich. (Mozzarella being in direct contact with bread on both sides will hold sandwich together as cheese melts.)

Step 2Brush a large baking sheet with some of the oil. Place

sandwich on sheet; brush top with remaining oil. Place another baking sheet on top (cover bottom of sheet with aluminum foil, if necessary), and press down very firmly.

Step 3Bake panini, pressing down top baking sheet once or twice

during baking, until cheese has melted and sandwich is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into 4 pieces, and serve with Cherry Tomato Salad.