Have no fear, this post will indeed be about Thanksgiving feast leftovers. In fact, it will be about a panini sandwich, filled with turkey, oozing melted Brie cheese, sweet pear, and a sauce with a sweet kick - a mixture of cherry jam and smoky chipotle peppers, to be exact. However, I ask you to indulge me for a moment as I reflect on the meaning of the Thanksgiving season (at least here in my adopted home of the United States). It is a time of gratitude, of expressing our thanks for the good things in life, of spending time with family and friends.
Each year, we ask our two boys what they are thankful for. When they were very young, the objects of their gratitude were typically their most treasured stuffed animals or their favorite cookies. As they grow and mature, their understanding and appreciation of the world has expanded. This year, their lists include our family (every family member, including cats, dog, and fish were named), their friends, and "the earth". Okay, there may have also been a mention or two of their Star Wars movies and favorite NFL quarterbacks. They are passionate about the people and things they love, innocently and honestly proclaiming their dedication. Unlike the jaded adults they live with (yes, that would be my husband and me), they express their gratitude on a daily basis, not waiting for a national holiday to reflect on the good things in life.
Last week, the boys brought home a note from school. It was a plea to all of the families to help one of their own. A 10-year old boy, only one year older than my eldest son, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and the disease has reached an advanced stage. His one wish is to make a trip to Disneyland with his family, which his family can not afford. The school administration asked us, if we felt so compelled, to reach into our pockets and give what we could to make this young boy's wish come true. My reaction was deep sadness for the life this boy will never get to experience and heartbreak for his parents. Apparently my husband, kids and I were not the only ones to feel that way. The community rallied and the boy's wish will be granted. I came away thinking to myself, "Why does it take a story such as this to really appreciate my kids and to be grateful for the time I have with them?"
You can not live for almost 40 years (enter heart palpitations) without experiencing some loss and family health scares. Inevitably, at some time in the process of dealing with these situations, I make a silent promise to appreciate each day, each moment that I spend with my loved ones. For several weeks afterwards, I make a conscious effort to soak in those moments and to be vividly aware of every conversation and unspoken emotion. As time moves on, I once again become absorbed with daily problems which, in the scheme of things, are rather inconsequential. I try not to be too hard on myself, knowing that it is human nature to live in the present and to be immune to the lessons of our personal histories. That being said, I am determined to take a page from my kids' books and to find grace and gratitude in the little things. I wish each of you a day full of family, friends, and thanksgiving, and the ability to be grateful for even the smallest gifts each day.
The sauce:
In a small bowl, stir together cherry jam, finely chopped chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce (from chipotle can).
The panini:
Preheat panini press or large grill pan or skillet.
Cut ciabatta rolls in half horizontally. Divide the cherry-chipotle sauce evenly between the four rolls, spreading on top and bottom halves.
On the bottom half of each roll, layer Brie cheese, turkey, pear slices, and spinach leaves. Top with other halves of the rolls.
Place the sandwiches on the panini maker or pan, working in batches if necessary. Close the panini press. If using a grill pan or skillet, place a brick, washed and wrapped in foil, on top of the sandwiches to emulate a panini press. When the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the press, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Turkey, Brie, Pear & Cherry-Chipotle Panini
Sauce:
6 tablespoon cherry jam
1 chipotle pepper*, seeded and finely chopped
½ teaspoon adobo sauce (from the can of chipotle peppers)
Panini:
4 ciabatta rolls
4 oz. Brie cheese, sliced
6 oz. sliced roasted turkey
1 large ripe pear, sliced
¾ cup (packed) fresh spinach leaves
The sauce:
In a small bowl, stir together cherry jam, finely chopped chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce (from chipotle can).
The panini:
Preheat panini press or large grill pan or skillet.
Cut ciabatta rolls in half horizontally. Divide the cherry-chipotle sauce evenly between the four rolls, spreading on top and bottom halves.
On the bottom half of each roll, layer Brie cheese, turkey, pear slices, and spinach leaves. Top with other halves of the rolls.
Place the sandwiches on the panini maker or pan, working in batches if necessary. Close the panini press. If using a grill pan or skillet, place a brick, washed and wrapped in foil, on top of the sandwiches to emulate a panini press. When the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, remove the sandwiches from the press, cut in half, and serve immediately.
Makes 4 panini.
*Canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce can be found in the Mexican food section of most well-stocked grocery stores.
Cristina, from Buenos Aires to Paris
That panini is a dream-come-true !! Congrats for being in GourmetLive!!
danasfoodforthought
This post has totally inspired me! I am ridiculously full right now, but I'm still looking forward to tomorrow so I can make something delicious out of the leftovers. Yum!
warmvanillasugar
Beautiful story. It really made me think about what's important in life - family, friends, and being good to your neighbors in general. Thanks for posting this.
Also, amazing recipe. I will for sure be trying it 🙂
Mother Rimmy
Stories like this bring tears to your eyes, and gratitude to your heart for every day we have with family. Thank you for the reminder.
The panini is simple and mouthwatering.
Happy Thanksgiving. 🙂
Chef Basket
This panini looks great! Thanks for the recipe.
Robyn
Dara, what a heartbreaking reminder to us all. We rush through our days until we're quickly reminded to slow down and enjoy the Legos in the floor and crumbs under the table. They are fleeting.
Suzanne aka vivisue
For those that "skip all the story" and go straight to the recipe, all I can say is they really miss some great stories - THIS being one of the best yet! The pictures of your family are endearing and the panini looks amazing! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, your family and your culinary prowess with us all! I, for one, am very thankful for that! 🙂
Pacheco Patty
Thanks for the touching reminder that we have many things in life to be thankful for all year long.
I love a turkey sandwich after Thanksgiving and I think you've just shared one of the best looking turkey sandwiches I've ever seen;)
Rita
Love ideas to use my Griddler. I don<t have turkey right now, but I am trying this one with letover ham. Nice to find a great blog from Canada.
Rita
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker
Mmm love this leftover sandwich!
Trish
Thank you for sharing that story and reminding me to be thankful. Sometimes I carried away by all the edible delicacies associated with the holiday. We all have much to be thankful for. The panini is a fabulous leftover idea.
Big Boys Oven
tru;y exciting to see this panini, and more I just adorw snaow! 😉
Angie
What a touching story, and a delicious recipe. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Evan @swEEts
I think that is absolutely amazing that your community was able to do that for the little boy..
and this panini? Holy goodness.. I don't even know what to say about it except wow.
bellini valli
We definitely do need to appreciate each and every moment and undertsand just how lucky we are. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thnks for sharing your panini recipe.
Monet
This post was so moving. You wrote so eloquently about children, about being thankful and about coping with loss and tragedy. I was almost in tears. I'm so glad to hear that your community rallied to give this boy his special trip. Thank you for sharing your lovely sandwich and this touching story/thoughts with me...I hope you have a wonderful week of feasting, thankfulness and family
Nancy
Dara,
Delicious panini and a very poignant story. My heart aches for this family and I hope that this trip is not the end but the beginning and that this young boy will have many more trips with his family.
One thing that has helped me is to reflect every evening on all my blessings - including two happy and healthy young men.
Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving!!
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having
What a heartbreaking story. It's easy to fall into routines and not appreciate the small moments in life that really matter. I guess it's situations like this that remind us the star at Thanksgiving isn't the turkey, but the time spent with loved ones.
Jeanette
Beautifully written post Dara. I was just at a fundraiser for pediatric brain tumors, and it was heart wrenching to see the families who had lost young ones. I try to hit the "reset" button whenever I find myself running around aimlessly. Being aware everyday is a challenge amid all the distractions, but worth it. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving with my family, and treasuring the down time together.
kelley {mountain mama cooks}
Wow, what a touching story. I have two boys and life can get so hectic so thank you for sharing and reminding me to slow down and enjoy every moment with them!
AND- that sandwich looks amazing!