Waffle Panini

Adapted from Kind Diet

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 hemp or whole-grain waffles-toasted

2 tofu kielbasa sausages

1 Tbs safflower oil

6 slices sun-dried tomatoes

2 leaves of Russian kale

1/2 cup Daiya vegan cheddar cheese

1/4 cup Veganaise or preferred mayo

1/3 cup peach jam (all fruit-sweetened with fruit juice)

1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme

1/4 freshly cracked pepper

Directions

1. Brown the sausages in oil, then cut in half lengthwise and then in half again horizontally

2. Warm up sun-dried tomatoes in same pan the sausages were cooked in

3. Mix together mayo, jam, thyme, and pepper

4. Spread the mayo mixture on each waffle

5. Layer the waffles with sausages, sun-dried tomatoes, kale, and cheese

6. Top with another waffle to make two sandwiches

7. Place sandwiches in preheated panini maker and cook until crisp and cheese is melted

As I was reading through the Kind Diet cookbook I saw this recipe and it made me really hungry, so I thought I would try a version of it. I really like the idea of mixing the jam with the mayo. It was absolutely delicious! I think it is really important to have a high quality jam. The original recipe called for apricot jam, but I used peach instead. I also switched out the russian kale for the arugula because that is what I had on hand and besides it's healthier. The hemp waffles are also a healthier alternative. Hemp is so good for you because it is high in protein, rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty, rich in chlorophyll, and high in fiber. I really like hemp chocolate milk and even kids really like it. It's much healthier than soy milk, which is highly processed. The Daiya cheese was new at the Co-op so I thought I would try it out. I haven't been too fond of dairy-free cheeses, but I was pleasantly surprised with this one! It is actually made out of tapioca. It doesn't have a funny after-taste like some fake cheeses. It also melts really nice. The original recipe called for mozzarella cheese, so feel free to play around with what you have on hand.