Ultimate Turkey Sandwich

Posted on: 2024-03-25
Updated on: 2024-03-25 10:54:11 by Mike

Description

Transforming a turkey sandwich from ordinary to extraordinary is all about using the highest-quality of ingredients and layering the right flavors. The magic lies in the details, and I’m excited to share how I build my version of the Ultimate Turkey Sandwich.

First up, the bread: I make my own ciabatta. It's surprisingly simple yet so rewarding. Unlike other breads, ciabatta dough gets spread out on a sheet pan, resulting in a flat, porous loaf that's just perfect for soaking up flavors without getting soggy. Trust me, it’s a game-changer for any sandwich.

For the turkey, I opt for buying a whole cooked turkey breast and slice it myself. There's something meditative about slicing it into thin, delicate pieces with a sharp knife—no meat slicer needed. This way, every slice is just the right thickness to meld with the other ingredients without dominating the bite.

Cheddar cheese is next. I shy away from pre-cut slices; a block of cheddar means fewer preservatives and more flavor. I slice it thin, too.

Now, for the magic touch: Garlic Aioli. Drizzling this on the turkey transforms the sandwich into something sublime. The rich, creamy aioli paired with tender turkey is a match made in culinary heaven. I make my own Garlic Aioli and include my Garlic Confit aka Garlic Love in it to level it up.

Avocado and turkey are flavor soulmates. I add thin slices of avocado atop the lettuce for a creamy, rich contrast to the crisp greens.

Speaking of greens, I go for shredded lettuce for that essential crunch, lightly dressed in my zesty Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing for an extra layer of flavor. I used iceberg lettuce in this recipe, but any lettuce would do.

Bacon. Need I say more. The sandwich will stay intact better by having it extra crispy. Chewy bacon could create a slide off and that’s never good.

I carefully stack the sandwich—cheddar, turkey, bacon, lettuce, avocado—to ensure every bite is balanced and nothing slips out. It’s a tower of texture and taste, crafted to stay intact from the first bite to the last.

starChef's Notes:

Embrace quality, fresh ingredients; they’re the foundation of any great dish.

Pay attention to the stacking order; it’s not just about taste but also texture and structural integrity.

Explore flavor affinities; Garlic Aioli and turkey, avocado and crisp lettuce, all bring something special to the table.

Thinking about additions? Mustard, red onion, spinach, and tomato can all add another dimension to your sandwich. Just remember, if adding something like tomato, consider its placement to maintain the sandwich’s integrity—no one likes a slider when they are expecting a sandwich.

On a cold day, serve it with soup, and on a hot day, with pasta salad.

I always try to remind myself that every recipe is a journey of discovery. This turkey sandwich is more than just a meal; it’s a canvas for creativity, a balance of flavors, and, most importantly, a delicious exploration of what makes food exciting. Dive in, experiment, and make it your own!

Ultimate Turkey Sandwich Ingredients

• 3.5 Ounces Sliced Turkey
• 1 Slice of Ciabatta Bread
• 2 Strips of Extra Crispy Bacon
• 1 Avocado
• 1 TSBP Garlic Aioli
• 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Cup of Shredded Lettuce

Step-By-Step Instructions

• Step 1 Gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need #1 - 3.5 Ounces Sliced Turkey, #2 - 1 Slice of Ciabatta Bread, #3 - 2 Strips of Extra Crispy Bacon, #4 - 1 Avocado, #5 - 1 TBSP Garlic Aioli, #6 - 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese, #7 - 1 Cup of Shredded Lettuce.

  

• Step 2 Slather aioli on ciabatta. Slice the ciabatta bread lengthwise like a bagel resulting in two halves. Slather each half with Garlic Aioli. The nooks and crannies of the bread can hold a lot of Garlic Aioli.

  

• Step 3 Add cheddar cheese. Now place the slice of cheddar cheese over the top of the bottom side of the bread.

  

• Step 4 Add thinly sliced turkey. Top the cheddar cheese with the thinly sliced turkey. Try to stack it in a square.

  

• Step 5 Add two strips of extra crispy bacon. I break each strip in half and place the two halves one direction, then repeat for the second strip and place it perpendicular to the first strip.

  

• Step 6 Add avocado. I only added one half of the avocado and it was a small avocado. A large avocado could make 2-3 sandwiches. Cut the avocado in half. Remove the seed by hitting it with the blade of your knife hard enough to make the knife stick. Be careful. Then pull the seed out with the knife and smack the seed and knife sideways on the cutting board and it will pop off.

  

• Step 7 Add dressed lettuce. I shred my iceberg lettuce by placing it on a cutting board and slicing it real thin. Then I drizzle a little Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing over it to level up the flavors. Once your lettuce is chopped and dressed, place a little over the top of the avocado. Marry the two sides together by slowly lifting the outside edge of each side, then quickly jam them together without losing anything. Practice makes perfect.

  

Ultimate Turkey Sandwich

Prep Time: 5 minutes.

Cook Time: 10 minutes.

Total Time: 15 minutes.

Yield: 1 Servings

Nutrition Information: 1 Sandwich is 410 Calories.

Ingredients:

• 3.5 Ounces Sliced Turkey
• 1 Slice of Ciabatta Bread
• 2 Strips of Extra Crispy Bacon
• 1 Avocado
• 1 TSBP Garlic Aioli
• 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Cup of Shredded Lettuce

1x 2x 3x 4x

Add Timer

Instructions:

• Step 1 - Gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will need #1 - 3.5 Ounces Sliced Turkey, #2 - 1 Slice of Ciabatta Bread, #3 - 2 Strips of Extra Crispy Bacon, #4 - 1 Avocado, #5 - 1 TBSP Garlic Aioli, #6 - 1 Slice of Cheddar Cheese, #7 - 1 Cup of Shredded Lettuce.
• Step 2 - Slather aioli on ciabatta. Slice the ciabatta bread lengthwise like a bagel resulting in two halves. Slather each half with Garlic Aioli. The nooks and crannies of the bread can hold a lot of Garlic Aioli.
• Step 3 - Add cheddar cheese. Now place the slice of cheddar cheese over the top of the bottom side of the bread.
• Step 4 - Add thinly sliced turkey. Top the cheddar cheese with the thinly sliced turkey. Try to stack it in a square.
• Step 5 - Add two strips of extra crispy bacon. I break each strip in half and place the two halves one direction, then repeat for the second strip and place it perpendicular to the first strip.
• Step 6 - Add avocado. I only added one half of the avocado and it was a small avocado. A large avocado could make 2-3 sandwiches. Cut the avocado in half. Remove the seed by hitting it with the blade of your knife hard enough to make the knife stick. Be careful. Then pull the seed out with the knife and smack the seed and knife sideways on the cutting board and it will pop off.
• Step 7 - Add dressed lettuce. I shred my iceberg lettuce by placing it on a cutting board and slicing it real thin. Then I drizzle a little Lemon Balsamic Salad Dressing over it to level up the flavors. Once your lettuce is chopped and dressed, place a little over the top of the avocado. Marry the two sides together by slowly lifting the outside edge of each side, then quickly jam them together without losing anything. Practice makes perfect.

More Recipes Print Recipe

Ultimate Turkey Sandwich Drink Pairings