In the winter, there is nothing better than a good cup of soup and warm cheesy sandwich for lunch (or even dinner for that matter).  However, a recent trip to Au Bon Pain nearly gave me a heart attack seeing all the high calorie labels staring me in the face.  I was so overwhelmed by the numbers, I couldn’t even order anything.  As I walked back home, starving, I thought about all the ingredients I had at my house that I could use to make a warm hearty sandwich without going to the grocery store.  You see, I usually use up all my veggies by Friday so I’ve gotta be creative when it comes to the weekend.  I ended up creating a new staple and since then, have created a variety of delicious spin-offs.   Have a side of low sodium, low fat soup or handful of veggies like baby carrots.

Open Faced No Chop Tuna Melt

Preheat skillet (or panini/sandwich maker) on medium.  Mix together a can of no-salt added white albacore tuna with 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard and 1 tbsp of Hummus.  Spices are optional, but I like garlic powder, dill and pepper.  Spread 1 wedge of The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese on 1 slice of Ezekial bread.  Spray a little EVOO on opposite side of bread.  Pack down 1/2 of the Tuna mixture on top.  Place on skillet, cover with a lid and let bread brown until it is at your desired crispiness.  Be careful not the burn.  Optional – if you have celery and onion, you may add it to the tuna salad but it is not necessary for this recipe.

Calories: 211  Fat: 3.8  Carbs: 17 g   Fiber: 3.4 g   Sugar 1 g   Protein: 26 g

Turkey Geissbuhler (Named after my favorite Sandwich at The Merc in Dennis, MA)

Preheat skillet.  Spread The Laughing Cow Light Blue Cheese wedge on one side of high fiber/high protein tortilla like Joseph’s (80 calories).   Place the tortilla with cheese facing up on the skillet.   Top with 3 slices of Turkey and honey mustard.  If you have sliced sweet onion, avocado or sprouts you may add them as well.  Fold top of tortilla over to form a quesadilla-like looking sandwich.  Tortilla will be crispy!

Calories: 185  Fat: 6.3 g  Carbs: 13.5 g  Fiber: 7 g   Sugar: 1 g    Protein 25.5 g 

Open Face Croque Madame 

Preheat skillet.  Spread The Laughing Cow Light Swiss cheese on one side of Ezekial bread.  Spray opposite side of bread with butter spray like Olivio.  Place buttered side down on skillet.  Top with 2-3 slices of low sodium ham.  Cover and bread get crispy, and the ham warm.  Once the bread is to your desired color of brown, remove from skillet.  Spray with buttery spray or EVOO once again.  Grab 1 cage free organic egg and cook sunny side up. Turn egg over and cook 3 minutes longer for a soft-cooked egg, or 5 minutes longer for a hard-cooked egg. Place egg on top of sandwich and viola!

Calories: 290  Fat: 9.4   Carbs: 21.6 g   Fiber: 3 g   Protein 25.2 g

The reason these sandwiches are so low calories is because I use ingredients that maximize the taste and nutrition per calorie.  The Laughing Cow Light wedges allow these warm sandwiches to taste indulgent by only adding 35 calories!  Most pre-sliced cheese are at least 70-100 calories.  I am newly working with The Laughing Cow as a part of their community leader program.  If you haven’t already check out some other amazing recipe and fitness ideas.  Stay tuned for the official announcement in the new year!

Comfort Sandwiches For Cold Weekends