Father's Day--Roasted Veggie Paninis

Father's Day is around the corner and I don't know about your dad, brother, husband, grandfather, uncle, boyfriend, etc etc. But most men like to eat, and they don't give a second thought to calories or saturated fat. So in honor of my dad, and yours, let's make something tasty and relatively healthy...just remind them that 1-2 beers are okay, but 5 is excessive.

Men love grilling, it's ingrained in their genes. It doesn't matter if you have a outdoor grill or a small george foremen. Grilled vegetable paninis, grilled peaches with balsamic vinaigrette, and spinach salad with strawberries, are perfect compliments to an indoor/outdoor activity, especially if he insists on topping it off with a steak or two on the grill.

I used the oven, to show everyone that this CAN be done inside if you are grill-less, and it can be done well. The only main loss by oven roasting instead of grilling is the blackened smokey flavor, so if needed add some liquid smoke! You can also char the veggies first over the open flame on the stove for a minute or two on each side before you roast.

Panini:

• Vegetables: (pick at least 2) zuchinni, eggplant, red onions, red peppers or portobello mushrooms
• Lettuce (romaine, arugala, spinach work best)
• Herbs (fresh whole basil leaves compliment the sandwich)
  
• Baguette (whole wheat if you can find it, otherwise white is fine)*
• Soy sauce or liquid smoke*
• Basalmic vinegar
  
• Smoked Cheese (mozzerella or gouda works well)*

*Stick with fresh produce available at the farmers market or vegetable stand
*Keep in mind cheese adds extra fat and calories that can easily be omitted by those that are vegan, dieting, or on a dairy allergy
*Whole grain baguettes offer more fiber and a denser chewier texture
*Using liquid smoke can intensify the flavor of the roasted veggies

Preparation:

• 
  Slice vegetables horizontally, giving them a height of about 1/4-1/2 inches (they will shrink when roasted/grilled)
• Marinate 1/2 hour+ in a balsamic vinegar/oil & liquid smoke mixture or store bought marinade
• Put vegetables in a roasting tin pan on the grill, in the oven, or directly over the flame for a more blackened flav or --make sure to flip vegatables regularly to prevent over charring
• Slice baguette diagnolly to create smaller sandwiches or in half to create larger ones. brush with olive oil and place on grill until crusty
• Assemble sandwiches hot off the grill adding cheese, lettuce, basil or other compliments to the sandwich

Sides:

• 1 peach per person
• 1 handful roasted almonds
• fresh bundle of spinach
• 1 handful strawberries

Peaches:

• Using the same marinade for the peaches, slice in half, remove pit and drizzle with basalmic vinegar/olive oil mixture. Grill pit side down until carmelized and grill marks are present.
  
• Add a drizzle of honey or whipped cream if desired

Spinach Salad:

• Rip leaves from fresh bundle of spinach (arugula or spring mix can be sustituted)
• Chop up roasted almonds
• Slice strawberries
• Drizzle with warm basalmic/oil mixture (this will help wilt the spinach)
  

Enjoy!

BTW, if there is a healthy activity in your area, take an hour or so this weekend to advocate and promote your dad's health and wellness. On Sunday, June 20th I will be running the 5M Father's Day Race Against Prostate Cancer Presented by ABC7 in Central Park. If you don't have one of these in your area, plan a walk or activity you can with your dad.