Bagged baby spinach is a terrific convenience product for health- and time-conscious cooks because it doesn’t have to be washed or stemmed before using.

veggie grilled cheese

start to finish: 20 minutes

makes: 4 sandwiches

2 cups purchased pickled mixed vegetables (giardiniera)
3 cups packed fresh baby spinach
6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, chopped
½ cup oil-packed dried tomatoes, snipped
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, minced, or 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
12 slices whole grain bread, toasted

1 Rinse and drain the pickled vegetables well. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine the pickled vegetables, spinach, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, pepper, and garlic.

2 Microwave on 100 percent power (high), uncovered, about 2 minutes or just until the mixture is warm, the spinach is wilted, and the cheese is beginning to melt.

3 To assemble sandwiches, layer half of the cheese and vegetable mixture on four slices of bread. Add another slice of bread and top with the remaining cheese and vegetable mixture and another slice of bread. Cut sandwiches diagonally into halves.

nutrition facts per sandwich: 359 cal., 14 g total fat (7 g sat. fat), 30 mg chol., 782 mg sodium, 42 g carb., 7 g fiber, 17 g pro.