Cooked chicken sausage links meet the flavors of French onion soup in this quick weeknight sandwich.
SERVES: 4
INGREDIENTS:
- 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbs. unsalted butter
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (8 cups)
- 1/4 cup Calvados (apple brandy)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
- 4 cooked chicken sausages
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 8 1/2-inch-thick slices of crusty, rustic bread
- 4 oz. Gruyère, very thinly sliced
INSTRUCTIONS:
- CARAMELIZE THE ONIONS:
- Heat 1 Tbs. of the oil and the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the onions, 3 Tbs. of the Calvados, 1/4 tsp. salt, and 1/8 tsp. pepper.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden-brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Add the remaining 1 Tbs. Calvados and the thyme and cook for about 1 minute more.
- COOK THE SAUSAGES:
- Meanwhile, in another 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 Tbs. of the oil until hot.
- Add the sausages and cook until browned and heated through, 5 to 6 minutes.
- Cut in half lengthwise. Keep warm.
- ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICHES:
- Heat a panini press. (Alternatively, heat a nonstick grill pan over medium heat.)
- Spread the mustard on the bread and assemble 4 sandwiches, distributing the onions, cheese, and sausage evenly among them.
- GRILL THE PANINI:
- Brush the outside of the sandwiches with the remaining 1 Tbs. oil.
- Cook them in the panini press until browned and crisp, 3 to 6 minutes. (If using a grill pan, put a heavy pan on top of the sandwiches and cook, flipping the sandwiches once.)
- Serve immediately.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
- 720 calories
- 31g protein
- 57g carbs
- 38g total fat
- 13g sat fat
- 11g mono fat
- 1.5g poly fat
- 120mg cholesterol
- 1600mg sodium
- 5g fiber
NOTE:
- Chicken sausages are available in many varieties, and this recipe will work with just about any flavor you choose. sautéed sausages with cabbage slaw and fruit chutney are a great match for a sweet or hot italian-style link, and the orzo salad is delicious with roasted red pepper and garlic sausage. apple or roasted garlic sausages are a perfect match for the panini.
