Turkey Spinach Panini with a Citrus Aioli

Summertime calls for quick yet hearty food.  Sandwiches for a weekend lunch are my go to meal.

Do you love all the combinations that you can make with a sandwich as much as I do?   I hope so cause today's sandwich is a real winner!

I love hot sandwiches.  It might be the gooey cheese melting over the hot meat...or it might be the toasty bread.  This one has it all plus a wonderful citrus aioli.  Aioli is a fancy word for a mayonnaise and garlic spread.  This spread really makes this sandwich, so don't skip it!!!  It will rock your world.
Honest.

The light citrus in the spread is such a good compliment to the delicate turkey and tangy Swiss cheese.  Together this is a combination made in heaven!  You can change it up the way you like it as well by swapping out the spinach for lettuce or arugula, or choose your favorite bread.  I used a nice country sliced bread which toasted nicely.  

Anyway you build it will turn out a masterpiece.  Remember, don't skip the citrus aioli!

Enjoy!



Turkey Spinach Panini with a Citrus Aioli

2 T mayonnaise 
1/4 tsp lime zest 
1/4 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice 
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
8 slices country bread 
1/2 lb sliced roasted turkey 
1 cup baby spinach
4 slices Swiss cheese
Cooking spray

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.  For the Aioli: Combine ingredients from mayonnaise through garlic in a small bowl.  Spread evenly over 4 bread slices. Top evenly with turkey, spinach, cheese, and the remaining 4 bread slices.

Coat grill pan with cooking spray. Arrange 2 sandwiches in pan. Place a cast-iron or heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten. Cook 2 minutes on each side.  Repeat procedure with remaining 2 sandwiches.  Slice in half and serve immediately.  

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey and Swiss Panini

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with family and fun!

MGG and I hosted a nice dinner with some friends.  The food was perfect and the company even better!  It's so good to spend time laughing, telling stories, and just enjoying friends.

With that said I was exhausted the next day.  I mean I didn't want to even think about putting all the decorations away and getting the house back in order. After 2 days of cooking (the make ahead items were soooo helpful!)  Least of all was that I really didn't want to put much effort into a meal.  With all the leftovers around I always try and find ways to change them up and utilize them in different dishes.

For lunch I whipped up this wonderful Turkey and Swiss Panini.  A perfect way to use the leftover turkey!  You'll need some good bread, I used a country loaf, some leftover turkey slices, Swiss cheese, and veggies like lettuce and tomato. 
For the spread you can swap out several kinds to make it your own version such as leftover cranberry sauce, artichoke garlic spread, mayo, mustard, even tapenade would be great!

Once you put this together you just cook it in your panini grill, or a grill pan and weight it down with another pan....or break out the Foreman grill...!  All work fine.  Soon you will have a wonderful hearty sandwich.

Here's the recipe for this wonderful sandwich, served with a nice green salad.

For more thanksgiving Leftover ideas click on the link below.
Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas: Let's talk turkey!


Turkey and Swiss Panini

makes: 1 sandwich

2 slices of country bread
spread - mayo, mustard, artichoke spread, cranberry sauce etc.
3 slices of turkey
2 slices of Swiss cheese
tomato slices
lettuce

Spread your choice of sandwich spread on each slice of bread.  Layer turkey, cheese, tomato, and lettuce on one slice of bread and top with the other slice.  Cook in a panini grill until golden brown on the outside and the cheese has melted.  About 6 minutes.  Cut in half and serve.

Caprese Panini

I love a good sandwich, especially on the weekends!

There is just something about the weekend that makes me want a nice sandwich.  I don't particularly want them during the week, just the weekend.  Curious!  Maybe it's that I'm running errands and need to eat something good, and healthy, and I can't wait to get home...and eat.  A sandwich fits the bill for being fast, healthy (if you make it that way!) and satisfying.

But not just any 'ole sandwich will do for me.  I tend to gravitate toward the 'warm or hot' sandwiches.  I like them toasted, or grilled, that's the best way for me!

So when I came across a recipe for a panini (hot=plus!) and combining the flavors of a favorite salad of mine, Caprese Salad, I just new this would be super fantabulus!

And I was right, it was!  Easy to make really.  Just using a few ingredients, with a little help from the store.  I used a great store bought pesto sauce which is the basil part of the salad.  Fresh mozzarella cut in slices melt nicely.  And then you make this tomato mixture...to die for!  It made the whole dish, so don't be skimpy on that part.  Serve it along side some nice fruit, or a salad and you are set.  Lunch is served!

Kitchen Tip:  If you don't have a panini press, (and many of us don't!) you can use a skillet and place another  heavy skillet on top to weigh it down.  Or...use a grill press, usually cast iron, those are nice to have...or...use a Forman grill if you have one, they work well also.



Caprese Panini

adapted from Cuisine at Home

Makes 2 sandwiches

1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup tomatoes, diced
1 tablespoon capers
pinch of red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
4 slices sourdough bread, 1/2-inch thick
1/4 cup homemade or purchased pesto
6 ounces fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced 

Heat oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes,
capers, and pepper flakes; saute until just starting to break down, about
3 minutes.

Off heat, add vinegar. Brush oil on one side of each slice of bread;
spread the other sides with 1 tablespoon pesto. Arrange mozzarella and
tomato mixture on two slices of bread, then sprinkle with salt and
pepper. Top with another slice of bread, oiled side up. Toast sandwiches
on both sides.


shared with: Weekend Potluck