Classic Turkey Sandwich Food

TURKEY CLUB

Steps:

• Bread: Use 3 slices of a good white sandwich bread (pain au lait or Pullman loaves are ideal). Be sure to toast it!
• Lettuce: Bibb and Boston lettuce both have nice small, soft leaves that fit well on the sandwich; shredded iceberg can be unruly.
• Tomatoes: Add 2 slices of tomato to each layer of a club; season with salt and pepper before you continue building the sandwich.
• Turkey: Fresh roasted turkey is key. Rub a 2 1/4-pound skinless, boneless turkey breast with olive oil; sprinkle generously with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Roast 10 minutes at 425˚ F, then reduce to 350˚ F and roast until the internal temperature is 160˚ F, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool, then slice.
• Mayonnaise: Spread a thick layer of mayo on each slice of toasted bread.
• Bacon: You'll want 3 slices per sandwich (1 1/2 slices in each layer). Halve the slices first, then cook in a skillet over medium heat until crisp.

TURKEY SANDWICH (DELI STYLE)

Steps:

• Lay out all ingredients. Spread mayonnaise on bread slices and layer one slice with sliced turkey, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, salt and pepper, and any other additional toppings.
• Top sandwich with remaining bread slice, cut into halves, and serve. See above for more variation ideas.

CLASSIC ROAST TURKEY

Steps:

• Let the turkey sit at room temperature, 30 minutes. Position an oven rack in the lowest position (remove the other racks); preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and set aside for the gravy. Pat the turkey very dry with paper towels and rub inside and out with salt and pepper. Stuff the cavity with the onion, carrot, celery, and sage and thyme sprigs. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine. Put the turkey on a rack set in a large roasting pan and tuck the wings under the body.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat; whisk in the paprika and chopped sage and thyme. Let the paprika butter cool slightly, then brush all over the turkey. Transfer to the oven and roast 1 hour. Meanwhile, make Classic Gravy.
• After the turkey has roasted 1 hour, baste with the drippings. Continue roasting, basting every 30 minutes, until the skin is golden brown and a thermometer inserted into the thigh registers 165 degrees F, about 2 more hours.
• Transfer the turkey to a cutting board and let rest 30 minutes before carving; reserve the drippings for the gravy.
• Prepare the stock: Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the turkey neck and giblets; cook, turning, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, carrot, celery, thyme and bay leaves; stir to coat. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth, reduce the heat to low and simmer about 1 hour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large measuring cup; reserve the saucepan. You should have 7 cups stock-if you're short, add more broth.
• Melt the remaining 8 tablespoons butter in the reserved saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until smooth and bubbling, about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in the 7 cups stock; bring to a simmer and cook, whisking occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside until the turkey is done.
• Pour the turkey pan drippings into a fat separator and let stand until the fat rises to the top. Discard the fat (or drizzle on your stuffing). Whisk the defatted drippings into the gravy; season with salt and pepper. Reheat before serving.

CLASSIC TURKEY SANDWICH

Steps:

• Spread 1 bread slice with dressing.
• Fill bread slices with remaining ingredients.

"THE CLASSIC HOT BROWN" TURKEY SANDWICH"

Steps:

• To make sauce: melt margarine in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour; gradually add milk, stirring with a whisk until blended. Cook until thick (about 10 minutes), stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring until cheese melts. Stir in sherry and remaining ingredients. Yield: 2 cups
• To make sandwiches: preheat broiler. Arrange toast in a 13 by 9-inch flameproof baking pan or baking dish. Top each toast slice with 2 ounces turkey and 2 tomato slices; sprinkle with pepper. Spoon Cheddar Cheese Sauce evenly over tomatoes, and sprinkle with bacon and paprika. Broil until lightly browned.

CLASSIC TURKEY PESTO SANDWICH

Steps:

• For each sandwich, spread each slice of lightly toasted bread on one side with softened butter, pesto and white wine Dijon mustard (use more or less, to taste).
• Assemble your sandwich with romaine, slice of fresh tomato and thin slice of red onion, slice of provolone cheese, one or two thin slices lightly smoked deli turkey meat, and a light drizzle of balsamic.
• Slice in half to serve. Enjoy!