Apple Cheddar Bacon Panini

Crisp Granny Smith apples + gooey Cheddar + crunchy bacon + toasted bread = panini happiness. Healthy? Nah, not really. Bacon usually doesn't quality as a health food. But it's good. Hearty and filling and yummy. You might think the apples sound out of place, but they're cool and crisp and slightly sweet and add just the right contrast to the sharp cheese and salty bacon. I might have a slight apple addiction (and be excessively passionate about paninis), but I'm refusing treatment as of yet.

INGREDIENTS
4 slices hearty whole wheat bread
apple, thinly sliced (Granny Smith suggested)
Cheddar, grated
red onion, thinly sliced (optional, but highly recommended)
4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat griddle or panini press to high heat.

2. Layer two slices of bread with Cheddar, apple, onion, bacon, and more Cheddar. Top with the remaining slices of bread.

3. Spray preheated griddle or panini press with cooking spray. Grill until the cheese has melted and the bread is crisp and golden brown. Slice and serve hot.

Makes 2 paninis.

(Adapted from Food Network)