I came up with the idea for this recipe one evening when I was craving both pizza and garlic bread. I didn't have any pizza shells and the idea of eating both pizza and garlic bread in one sitting seemed a bit gluttonous. This is a quick and easy recipe using common staples. It's kind of like a fancy Italian grilled cheese sandwich. I've also tried this with the addition of fresh mushrooms and broccoli. It's very versatile.
Ingredients
- 8.0 Slices French or Sourdough Bread
- 6.0 ozs Jar Sun Dried Tomatoes Pakced in Oil
- 8.0 ozs Package Mozzarella Cheese
- 1.0 Bunch Fresh Basil
- 16.0 ozs Jar Trader Joe's Fat Free Pizza Sauce
- 4.0 tbls Margarine or Butter
- 4.0 tsps Granulated Garlic
- 4.0 tsps Grated Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix together the Margarine or Butter and the granulated Garlic plus the grated Parmesan Cheese, set aside. Wash and dry the basil. Drain and coarsely chop the Sun Dried Tomatoes, put in small bowl and set aside. Open the package of Mozzarella Cheese and cut enough same sized slices to fit 2 slices on each of the 4 sandwiches(about 1/4 inch thick). Lay out 4 slices of the bread on a plate or paper towels. Thinly coat one side of each of the 4 slices of bread with the Butter/Parmesan/Garlic mixture, making sure to spread it over the entire slice. In a medium unheated skillet place 2 of the buttered bread slices face down (it's easier to make only 2 sandwiches at a time). Then layer the bread slices in the skillet with 2 slices of the Mozzarella Cheese, 3 Tablespoons of the Trader Joe's Fat Free Pizza Sauce, 1/4 of the chopped Sun Dried Tomatoes, and 2 large Basil Leaves (stems removed). Turn on the heat under the skillet to low. Then lay out the other 4 slices of bread on the plate or paper towels and thinly spread the remaining Butter/Parmesan/Garlic mixture onto one side of each slice. Take 2 of the slices and top the other 2 sandwhiches already in the skillet, Butter side up. You can turn up the heat to medium low. Be careful not to let the Butter/Parmesan spread burn! Cook on one side until they are lightly browned and crispy, then turn them over with tongs or a spatula and cook until they are lightly browned on the other side and the cheese on the inside is melted. Let the pan cool down slightly before you repeat the process with the other two sandwiches.
Added Tuesday, May 19, 2009