If you are a huge fan of Cuban sandwiches like I am, you are going to love this healthy little spin on an old favorite. These Cuban-Style Grilled Paninis swap out dense bread for a healthy alternative – a tortilla grilled to perfection. You are going to love this super simple, no-fuss take on the Cuban sandwich.
My love for the Cuban sandwich began in a cute little sub shop a few years ago.
For a short time, we had a Dagwood’s Deli and Sub shop here in Valparaiso where I live. We didn’t go often, but when we did, I always got the Cuban sandwich. I loved it. Sadly, Dagwood’s didn’t last long here, and closed up shop after being open only a short time. I was really bummed, because for whatever reason, the sub shops we have around here don’t have “Cuban sandwiches” on their menus. I mean, you can make it up and create your own at Subway or something, but then you still have to know what to ask for.
Anyway, that’s the background story to this Cuban-Style Grilled Panini recipe. I wanted to find a way to get the taste of a good Cuban sandwich, with little effort and low calories/Smart Points.
I would like to thank the tortilla that made this recipe possible.
If you have been following MPM for the past couple of weeks, you know that I have been experimenting with, and learning more about, tortillas. More specifically, I started with tortillas that are just 1 Smart Point each. Then, out of that list, I looked into just the ones that were bigger than 6 inches. From there, I zoned in on the one tortilla with the highest rating on Amazon… which led me to the perfect tortilla for Weight Watchers members (and me). This tortilla opened me up to a new world of possibilities in my little recipe blogging world, because these tortillas can be used for all kinds of things, including sandwiches.
Olé Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Low Carb 8 inch Tortillas
So, I purchased the tortillas in this recipe on Amazon, like I suggested doing in our List of Low Smart Point Tortillas. I had all of the other ingredients ready to make Cuban sandwiches, and I was just waiting for my special ingredient to arrive that would not only replace the bread, but taste better than bread. Our mail lady dropped the tortillas off at our doorstep today, the Cuban sandwiches were made a couple of hours later, and by evening, I was creating this post to get out on Sunday.
I just couldn’t wait to share this recipe with you, because guess what… when I ate my Cuban panini for lunch today, it took me back. It actually reminded me of our special (short-lived) Dagwood’s days!
The recipe that will make all of your wildest Cuban sandwich dreams come true.
Okay, that sounds like a little much, doesn’t it? I will dial it back a little…wait…no, I won’t…because I love these, so you have to try them. 🙂
Simple enough to be a lunch or a snack, but hearty enough to be a dinner, this is my new favorite anytime food.
Here is what you need:
4 Olé Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Low Carb 8 inch Tortillas
4 teaspoons mustard
4 ounces 97% fat-free thin sliced ham lunch meat (about 8-10 slices)
4 ounces 98% fat-free thin sliced turkey lunch meat (about 8-10 slices)
4 reduced-fat Swiss cheese slices
4 ounces pickle slices
Cooking spray
Here is what you do:
Preheat a grill pan or sauté pan to medium heat.
Spread 1 teaspoon mustard on each tortilla.
In the middle of each tortilla, put 1 ounce ham, 1 ounce turkey, 1 slice of Swiss cheese halved, and 1 ounce pickle slices.
Roll two sides in toward the middle of the tortilla, covering the other ingredients. Spray both sides with cooking spray.
In a preheated grill pan or sauté pan, cook the Cubans for 4-5 minutes on each side.
Serve warm.
Makes 4 Cuban-Style Grilled Paninis.
One panini is 4 Green, 4 Blue, and 4 Purple points.Points.
Skinny Cuban-Styled Grilled Panini
Ingredients
- 4 Olé Xtreme Wellness High Fiber Low Carb 8 inch Tortillas
- 4 teaspoons mustard
- 4 ounces 97% fat-free thin sliced ham lunch meat (about 8-10 slices)
- 4 ounces 98% fat-free thin sliced turkey lunch meat (about 8-10 slices)
- 4 reduced-fat Swiss cheese slices
- 4 ounces pickle slices
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat a grill pan or sauté pan to medium heat.
- Spread 1 teaspoon mustard on each tortilla.
- In the middle of each tortilla put 1 ounce ham, 1 ounce turkey, 1 slice of Swiss cheese halved, and 1 ounce pickle slices.
- Roll two sides in toward the middle of the tortilla, covering the other ingredients. Spray both sides with cooking spray.
- In a preheated grill pan or sauté pan, cook the Cubans for 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Serve warm.
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Jane Marshall says
Looks great! Can’t wait to try them. By the way, I have family in Shalimar.