Smoked Turkey, Pepper Jack Cheese, and Basil Panini Sandwich
Preview: This Smoked Turkey, Pepper Jack Cheese, and Basil Panini Sandwich is a crispy panini stuffed with flavor–inspired by Oprah’s Love Sandwich.
Have you ever heard of the 5-second rule about dropping food on the floor? It’s possible I made it up.
As a teenage girl, I spent many summer days driving a tractor by myself in the fields of our Indiana farm. Either Mom would bring me
Sometimes, I would accidentally drop my sandwich on the ground. Since it was all there was to eat, I wasn’t about to throw it away. If I could rescue it and brush the dirt off faster than the germs could hop on (less than 5 seconds), then all was good. Right?
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A hot lunch is so much better, when possible…
While I never got sick from this immunity-building exercise, I did get tired of bologna sandwiches. In fact, I pretty much avoid cold sandwiches altogether, especially now that I can make a warm and crusty panini instead.
Discovering the “Love Sandwich”
A few years ago, Oprah published the recipe for her “Love Sandwich” which is the basis for this recipe. I use smoked turkey instead of plain, roasted turkey as Oprah suggested. Add tomato slices (dried by pressing between paper towels) for more color and flavor.
Ingredients and substitutions:
Basil is the unique calling card of this sandwich. Substitute spinach or another green if you prefer.
Instead of smoked turkey, use roast turkey or ham.
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Pepper Jack cheese adds spicy interest but a milder cheese like Muenster or mild Cheddar sounds good, too.
Looking for more ideas and information about panini?
I’m not an expert but I know someone who is. Check out Panini Happy. Kathy’s blog is full of creative recipes and helpful hints about making a panini. She also gives advice for buying a panini maker, or you can read about making one using two skillets.
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Did you enjoy this recipe? If so, leave a rating 🤩 inside the recipe below. No comment required. If you have any questions or suggestions, email me privately: Paula at saladinajar.com. Hope to see you again soon! Paula
Smoked Turkey, Pepper Jack Cheese, and Basil Panini
Ingredients
- 2 slices of sourdough bread
- 4 squirts of olive oil spray
- 1 tablespoon olive oil mayo
- 2 ounces thinly sliced Pepper Jack Cheese
- 2 ounces thinly sliced smoked turkey - or rotisserie chicken
- 1 small tomato - thinly sliced and patted dry
- Basil leaves - whole
Instructions
- Brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil.
- Spread a light coating of mayo on reverse side of the bread.
- Stack slices of cheese, turkey, tomato, basil and more cheese on top of mayo-covered side of bread. Cover with remaining slice of bread–mayonnaise side to the top layer of cheese.
- Cook on a panini grill preheated to HIGH or use a heavy skillet with another skillet placed on top of the sandwich–in which case you will need to flip the sandwich after a couple of minutes. Allow the sandwich to grill until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown and toasty.
Paula Rhodes, author
I’m a retired home economist, wife, mother, grandmother, and creator of Saladinajar.com. I believe you don’t have to be a chef to find joy in creating homemade food worth sharing. Here you’ll find time-saving tips, troubleshooting advice, and confidence-inspiring recipes to make life in the kitchen more fun, appetizing, and satisfying.