Description
Gourmet sun-dried tomato pesto turkey sandwich blends Mediterranean flavors with classic deli ingredients. Layers of herbed turkey, tangy pesto, and rustic bread create a perfect lunch companion you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 oz (170 g) turkey breast, sliced (deli or leftover roasted)
- 4 slices provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese
- 4 slices sourdough, ciabatta, or whole-grain bread
- ½ cup baby spinach or arugula
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
- ¼ cup basil leaves
- 2 tbsps parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tbsp pine nuts or walnuts (optional, for extra depth)
- 1 clove garlic
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter or olive oil (for toasting the bread)
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Pesto Preparation: Pulse sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
- Seasoning Refinement: Enhance the pesto with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, balancing the zesty flavor profile to perfection.
- Bread Foundation: Generously coat two artisan bread slices with the homemade pesto, ensuring complete interior coverage from edge to edge.
- Protein and Greens Assembly: Layer roasted turkey slices evenly across one bread slice, then top with crisp baby spinach or peppery arugula leaves, allowing some green to peek through.
- Cheese Integration: Crown the greens with your preferred cheese variety – sharp provolone, creamy mozzarella, or tangy Swiss – positioning it to melt beautifully.
- Final Toasting: Carefully press the second pesto-coated bread slice on top, then toast in a panini press or skillet until the bread turns golden and crisp, and the cheese begins to melt.
- Gourmet Finishing: Optionally drizzle balsamic glaze over the sandwich for an extra layer of sweet-tangy sophistication. Slice diagonally and serve immediately with kettle chips, mixed green salad, or seasonal soup.
Notes
- Pesto Precision: Blend ingredients in short pulses to maintain texture and prevent over-processing, which can make the pesto too smooth or oily.
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose sturdy artisan bread that can withstand toasting and won’t become soggy from the pesto’s moisture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Allow cheese to sit at room temperature before assembling to ensure even melting and enhance flavor distribution.
- Dietary Adaptability: Swap turkey with grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, or plant-based protein for vegetarian and gluten-free variations.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg