Tonight we were going to have a simple supper with not much cooking involved. The decision was made to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I wanted to dress it up a bit, so added a tablespoon of olive tapenade. I buy an olive tapenade that I love from Trader Joe’s. This particular one can be found in their refrigerated section, but they also have a jarred tapenade that is in the same area you would find jarred olives. They are both equally good.

I like to make my grilled cheese using lower fat cheese. Tonight I used a reduced fat white cheddar – also found at Trader Joe’s. It has 50% less fat and 35% fewer calories than regular cheddar.

It’s just personal preference for me. I try to eat, and cook, lower fat with everything I make … that’s just the way I roll. I think it’s possible for dishes to have a lot of flavor using less fat and bringing flavor in with herbs and spices.

I found a fabulous sourdough bread this week at Sprout’s Farmers Market. It is a rosemary sourdough bread. This bread tastes and smells amazing. I toasted the bread this morning for my breakfast and it just smelled so good. I decided to use this bread again tonight in making my grilled cheese sandwich … it worked out perfectly.

I spread margarine on the outside of both pieces of bread. For my margarine, I like to use one that is on the healthy side. It is Smart Balance.

Our dinner tonight was simple and satisfying. A few carrot sticks served on the side, and dinner was complete. This sandwich may even meet my sister, Cherie’s, criteria of no more than a few ingredients in a recipe. How about this, Cher?

Ingredients for one Sandwich

• 2 slices rosemary sourdough (or any bread you like)

• 2 slices lite cheddar

• 1 tablespoon olive tapenade

• 2 tablespoons margarine (or butter if you prefer)

Directions

Spread margarine on two slices of bread. Lay one slice of cheese on the bottom slice of bread and add the olive tapenade. Top with the second slice of cheese and cover the sandwich with the second slice of bread. Grill your sandwich in a sauté pan until the bread is crispy and the cheese has melted. Enjoy!

Until next time, Kris