Combine goat cheese, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, olive oil and bread, and what do you get? A really delicious dinner. I used whole wheat pitas, but you could make this sandwich on a thick sourdough bread for a traditional panini, or on plain or flavored flatbread. Serve it with a salad or soup, and you have a light, healthy, vegetarian meal.

You could make this with brie cheese, too, just toast them a little longer on the cheese-side of the sandwich.

Pita Paninis

INGREDIENTS:
2 whole wheat Pitas, cut in half and sliced open
6-8 large button mushrooms
1 small or medium onion
1 tbsp olive oil
2 vine-ripened tomatoes (use plum tomatoes if you can’t find them)
4 oz goat cheese

DIRECTIONS:
1. Cut mushrooms and tomatoes into thin slices; cut onion in half and then slice it.
2. Saute mushrooms and onion in 1 tbsp olive oil for about 5 minutes on medium-high heat, or until onion slices are translucent. Add tomato slices and sautee for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Spread goat cheese on 4 of the pita slices. Spoon vegetable mixture over the cheese, and top with remaining pita halves.
4. Wipe down the saute pan with a paper towel. Coat with cooking spray, and place two of the sandwiches into the pan, using a spatula. Heat for 3-5 minutes, and flip. Repeat for the two remaining sandwiches.

Serves four.

Turkey, Tomato and Brie Panini

Mushroom and Carmelized Onion Tart

Fig and Goat Cheese Canapes

Pasta di Verdure Autunno

Mushroom Stir Fry