The ultimate Thanksgiving leftover turkey sandwich! Slices of turkey are paired with melted Brie cheese and a smoky sweet cherry-chipotle jam.
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.
Make the cherry chipotle sauce
In a small bowl, stir together cherry jam, finely chopped chipotle pepper, and adobo sauce (from chipotle can).
How to make turkey 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.
Printable Recipe
Turkey, Brie and Pear Panini
Ingredients
The sauce
- 6 tablespoons cherry jam
- 1 chipotle pepper seeded and chopped (See Note)
- ½ teaspoon adobo sauce (from chipotle pepper can)
The panini
- 4 ciabatta rolls
- 4 ounces Brie cheese sliced
- 6 ounces roasted turkey breast sliced
- 1 large ripe pear sliced
- ¾ cup (packed) spinach leaves
Instructions
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.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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!