This delicious sandwich is a great way to use up leftover roast turkey or chicken. I loved the melty fontina cheese, the slightly sweet roasted red peppers, and the pop of fresh flavor from the pesto. This sandwich is worth roasting a turkey (or chicken) for!
If you can’t find fontina, substitute another mild cheese like jack or a stronger cheese like provolone. The mild fontina is nice because it doesn’t overpower the flavor of the turkey. Also, a sturdy bread works best ( I used a wheat sourdough). Enjoy!
Roast Turkey Panini with, Pesto, Roasted Red Peppers and Fontina
-Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, foodnetwork.com
Serves: 4 sandwiches.
1/4 cup prepared basil pesto
8 slices ciabatta bread or other rustic Italian white bread, thinly sliced
8 ounces very thinly sliced roast turkey breast
1 roasted red bell pepper, stemmed, skin and seeds removed, cut into thin strips
6 ounces fontina cheese, thinly sliced, to cover the bread slices
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Arrange the slices of bread on a flat work surface and, using a small spoon, divide the pesto evenly among 1 side of each of the bread slices.
Divide the turkey, roasted pepper strips, and fontina equally among 4 of the bread slices. Top with the remaining 4 slices of bread, pesto sides down, to form 4 sandwiches.
Brush the outsides of each sandwich lightly with some of the olive oil.
Heat a large skillet, griddle, or grill pan over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the sandwiches and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted, pressing occasionally with a large metal spatula or the bottom of a small heavy saucepan, about 4 minutes per side. Remove sandwiches and transfer to a cutting board. Slice in half on the diagonal and serve immediately.
Tags: fontina, leftover turkey, panini, pesto, roasted red peppers, sandwich
We have our first Christmas dinner on Thursday and I know I’ve ordered way too big a turkey. I know what I’ll be having for lunch on Friday!
This looks delicious! Great idea!