best turkey sandwich (or panini or wrap or spring roll) for thanksgiving leftovers...?

[alkapal]

please give us your best turkey sandwich combos, including bread, condiments, other ingredients (including cheese, if any), and method of preparation (panini, grilled, toasted bread, open faced...). if you grill, what oil/butter/fat do you use?

and i guess indian and latin flatbreads may also be used, too.

.... now, spring roll wrappers....well, i guess so! why not? does that take us to the realm of turkey and dressing spring rolls? i think i could go there -- with a nice, tart dipping sauce!

please tell us why you like your combination especially.

the only criteria: all "sandwiches" must somehow have turkey as a component.

now.... let's talk turkey (sandwich). ;-)

[Bakersfield Hound]

For me, 7 grain bread, cream cheese, cranberry relish, a leaf lettuce, a little sweet onion and of course the turkey. My kids love a sandwich that a local sandwich shop makes this time of year, a soft hoagie style roll, turkey, dressing, and gravy.
Danny

[chilihead]

Another asian inspiration: Turkey Bahn Mi.

A nice split grinder roll, spoon nauck cham (a mixture of fish sauce, lime and chili...and more) on one side, smear the other with a pork pate (braunschager will do in a pinch) and a wee bit of mayo. quick pickle some julianed carrot and daikon in rice vinegar add a few sprigs of cilantro and of course the turkey (smoked turkey would be even better.)
I started with John Thorne's essay from Pot on the Fire and just ran with it.
I found this to be a nice bright and fresh means of recovering from Thanksgiving stupor.

[alkapal]

did i mention my "asian" turkey lettuce wrap? did an asian-style salad dressing (similar to the warm duck salad i've been yakking about recently on this home cooking board) with some chopped turkey, served in butter lettuce wraps. quite tasty!

quick and easy: fresh lime juice (whole lime), sesame oil, fish sauce, chopped scallions, lots of fresh mint and coriander, cellophane noodles, garlic (?), fresh grated ginger, sriracha. wished i'd had some lemongrass, but i made do. let the turkey sit in the dressing for a couple of minutes or so before chowing.

not thai, not chinese, but it worked for me.

[FriedClamFanatic]

Sounds great! Pilgrims meet Buddha! Or is that Puritans vs Pattya! Either way, it sounds yummy

[alkapal]

the "funky" turkey aspect is greatly overcome by *lots* of the green stuff -- mint and cilantro were essential!

[DonShirer]

Substituted for the usual mayo a garden-end sandwich spread made with chopped green tomatoes, peppers, onion, mustard, herbs (and yes, a little mayonnaise too). Added a little zing to the traditional turkey sandwich.

[Passadumkeg]

The New Mexican: turkey, stuffing, mayo and a couple of fresh roasted green chiles (aka Anaheims) on bread or wrapped in a flour tortilla.

[megkrichards]

Cold or hot turkey on a lowcarb wrap with Sriracha Mayo (equal parts mayo and the delicious chili garlic sauce with the rooster on the bottle) with cilantro and crunchy fresh red onion, and whatever else you have on hand. The Sriracha Mayo is the most important part.

[FriedClamFanatic]

I love that Mayo idea!

[Jase]

In a tortilla, sausage stuffing and turkey. Make two, homemade cranberry sauce on one and gravy in the other. A little hot sauce on everything, quick and easy snack or breakfast.

[scotdc]

I too love the traditions of Thanksgiving and its bounty - The Best Sandwich Of The Entire Year!

But this year I found that one little extra tweak that simply turned me on my ear.

I make mine in the classic way. First a soft, tasty French roll (from a bakery only, if not available, a good country style Farm bread will do). If using the roll, hollow out some of the bread to give room. Spread one side liberally with mayo (no salad dressing). Pile on the leftover Turkey and top with a good amount of stuffing.

Now for final touch... Spread the top slice of bread with COLD leftover turkey gravy. It's Heaven. It adds an unbelievable richness while keeping the cold sandwich tradition alive. Add cranberry sauce on the side please.

[alkapal]

hannaone, does your MIL use the rice paper wrappers like those used in vietnamese "summer rolls"? http://www.quickspice.com/scstore/ima...

just soften by soaking in water, drying and then filling to roll up?

btw, you can serve this by frying those rolls, too -- right?

[hannaone]

Same rice paper package.

Soften in lukewarm water then fill and roll before they dry out again.

When she fries them she uses two of the skins so they don't break as easily.

[alkapal]

thanks!

[alkapal]

i just made this today: turkey cubes (1/3"), pico de gallo, diced avocado, some fresh lemon juice (i had a lemon already cut) and a little mayo. i ate this turkey-avocado salad on white (cause that's what i had -- a potato bread hot dog roll). oh. so. gooood.

it was billed at the grocery store ("giant") as a "black" avocado -- looks like a hass, but not as wrinkly; but, it had a better texture and flavor compared with the hass that i've had over the last two-three years. i'm very pleased with the variety -- buttery, flavorful, firm but not hard. maybe it is just a variety of hass, but it is better, imo.

[sunangelmb]

My carb overlod/calorie busting after Thanksgiving sandwich is as follows
wonder white bread, smeared with butter (yes real butter)
turkey meat
mashed potatoes
stuffing (It helps to smoosh it into the mashed potatoes)
gravy
second slice of buttered bread

serve with side of gravy for dipping

[FriedClamFanatic]

If there are any leftovers (not often after the second "grazing" post FB game), i like a kaiser roll, toasted or even better, grilled. Turkey, stuffing, a mix of mayo and whole berry or homemade cranberry sauce, and if there is any cooked bacon leftover from breakfast, a slice of that.

My Brother-in-law will do the same, but he wants miracle whip and canned jellied cranberry - yuck to both

[Clarkafella]

I'm kind of thinking that all of these sound good, but actually take away from the spirit of nature's most perfect leftover- the turkey sandwich. I've been enjoying these for nearly 50 years:

2 slices of soft white bread- the kind that your spouse won't normally allow in the house
Duke's Mayonnaise
Salt
Leftover Turkey

Spread the mayo on both slices of bread. Top with turkey. Sprinkle with salt. Slap 'em together. Enjoy...

However, this year- for the first time *ever*, I have discovered a way to actually improve on perfection- it isn't often that something comes along foodwise that changes your life- but when it happens, it is truly magical. And it is sooo simple:

Replace the "salt" with "Bacon Salt", a product I first read about on here...

http://www.baconsalt.com/

[ChefDell]

Just had this last night!

Thick cut casa bread
pulled leftover turkey
stuffing
sweet potato
mayo (cranberry instead of mayo optional)

a thin layer of mayo on the bread. pile with above. sqwish it together and butter the outside of the bread. Stick on the forman grill or panini press and brown. Yummy! Getting hungry for another right now!

[alkapal]

clarkafella: just tried your bacon salt on turkey with mayo and white bread. indeed, truly outstanding.

i can imagine a turkey "club" sandwich without the guilt of actual bacon, but with the flavor.

thanks for the great tip!

[Clarkafella]

Yeah, I've become those guys biggest cheerleader- to the point of actually telling strangers in the grocery store "hey, you've really got to try this stuff"... If that company ever goes public, I want to buy shares...

[Mellicita]

In addition to the classic stuffin' sandwich.... I always enjoy making hot browns.

Also, just good fresh Italian bread, with turkey and tons of gravy in an open face sandwich.

[susanl143]

My boyfriend of years ago introduced me to this combo: Sliced fresh turkey, on hearty white bread with Durkees Dressing and slices of fresh, ripe avocado. It's very simple to make and incredibly yummy. This is the only thing for which I use Durkees dressing but it adds just the perfect light mustardy snap to the sandwich.

[hannaone]

My MIL's contribution:

Left over turkey sliced into thin strips then lightly browned in sesame oil.
Pickled Daikon ( http://www.chow.com/recipes/12006
whole leaf kimchi cut into thin strips
kkaenip leaves (wild sesame)
Pan fried egg (whipped then lightly browned on both sides) cut into thin strips
Asian chives
All the above rolled into rice paper wraps, then dipped into a lightly sweetened soy sauce/wasabi mix.

[alkapal]

Ode to Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
<to the tune of winter wonderland>

red and ribbed, are ya' listenin'?
some to eat, i've a nigglin'
so lend me a hand
and open a can
eatin' in the cranberry wigglin'-land!
___________

happy thanksgiving to eaters of cran, canned and fresh alike. and to all a good (leftover sandwich, wrap, roll) night.

[Honey Bee]

Split white hoagie roll
Place brie on one side, and stick under broiler to melt/toast
Spread one side of bread with cranberry, one with mayo
Top with turkey.
I look forward to this sandwich all year round.

[virtualguthrie]

Oh my. Good idea, the cranberry and brie sound like they would complement each other well.

[alkapal]

ok, breaking my own criterion (strictly), but bobby flay's turkey milanese looked just great on tv!
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/turkey-milanese-recipe/index.html

and his turkey breast with sour orange sauce looked SO incredibly delicious: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/brined-turkey-breast-with-spanish-spice-rub-and-sour-orange-sauce-recipe/index.html

but see this re the sour orange sauce: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/469341 .

[Emme]

here's the layering:
challah spread with butter and a little gravy
mashed potatoes
turkey
challah slice soaked in gravy
stuffing
turkey
cranberry sauce
challah slice spread with butter and a little gravy

[coney with everything]

challah soaked in gravy reminds me of that Friends episode with Ross's turkey sandwich: the "tastemaker"!

[512window]

I thought that was the "moistmaker"?
My day after Thanksgiving turkey sandwich is just bread, meat, mayo, and lettuce. Usually on wheat. Because I'm too full to eat much else.
However, during the week I patronize a sandwich place that roasts turkeys every day. So I get roast (hot) turkey on a dutch crunch roll, with lettuce, tomato, sprouts, mustard, mayo, and a slice of swiss cheese. If you go in that place in the late lunch time period, everyone is ordering the same sandwich - it's gold!

[ipsedixit]

Open-faced.

Sliced turkey on Texas toast, topped with mashed potatoes, gravy, green peas and tobasco sauce

[greygarious]

The bakeries in the Great Harvest Bread Company franchise make a delicious stuffing bread during Thksgvg and Xmas weeks (you have to special order). I make stuffing from scratch, but use the stuffing bread for sandwiches. It is a whole wheat loaf with sage, onion, and celery. Great plain or toasted. For the rest, sliced turkey, cranberry mustard, chive cream cheese, and lettuce. Or turkey salad, lettuce, and cranberry sauce.

[KevinB]

I'm a traditionalist as well; cold sliced turkey, mayo, cranberry, and lettuce are the starting points. Stuffing - sure, if there's any leftover (usually - not!). Bread - I'm not too picky, but this is one sandwich I think is better on a not-so-crusty bread. We usually have whole-grain around but I'll admit to sneaking one on Wonder-style white bread every now and then. While avocados, etc. sound good, I'll try them another time.

But the one thing I insist on with the above ingredients is fresh cracked pepper. I hardly ever put spices, salt, or herbs on any sandwich, but a great cold turkey sandwich demands fresh pepper.

[Rick]

Pepper never crossed my mind when doing my turkey sandwich, it'll be on my sandwich Friday, thanks!

[cayjohan]

Bread-less wrap here, if that's okay...

Saute onions and your favorite curry spice blend, add chopped turkey and cook til you like the aroma. Toss in some scallions, hot peppers if you like, and whatever fruit you like - mango, apple, pineapple - then wrap in a lettuce leaf (whatever you have - I love iceberg for this).

Great flavor counterpoint to all the Thanksgiving food we'll be eating this week. Easy. Fresh. And helps with the carb recovery program!

Cay

[ccbweb]

Hot Turkey Sandwich on toasted sourdough. Heat up a potfull of gravy and then add in a whole bunch of turkey picked from the carcass or pulled apart with fingers from the stuff that had already been sliced up. Once that comes up to heat, ladle over the toasted sourdough. And serve with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce of whatever sort you like.

[bitsubeats]

roast turkey with a shmear of mashed potatos on a potato roll

can't get enough carbs. and if you want you can dip it in gravy

[BerkshireTsarina]

This is my favorite turkey combo all year round:
Roasted turkey, avocado, roasted peppers, with mayo and muenster melt. All on some kind of wholegrain bread. For people who have the Price Chopper supermarket chain, their new Dakota bread is a total winner, and great for this, as is their Heartland bread.

[Rick]

For me it's just some cold turkey, between hot toast, lettuce and lots of mayo. Simple, but I love it .

[Al_Pal]

I agree wholeheartedly. Lately I've become kind of a purist in terms of my sandwiches, and all I need anymore is some honey whole wheat bread, a thin layer of mayo on both pieces, and the turkey. There's nothing quite so divine.

I'm not a huge fan of deli meats, so when it's not the holidays, I'll buy a rotisserie chicken and cut it up for sandwich meat to get the same kind of effect.

[Kate is always hungry]

I'm drooling already! To me, that is the perfect leftover turkey sandwich.

[alkapal]

iceberg, leaf or butter -- or romaine.

typing "romaine" made me think of eric clapton, doing a "thanksgiving sandwich" song:

"ROMAINE"

"If you wanna pig out, go take the turkey out; romaine.
If you wanna get bread, then you'll be ahead; romaine.
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie; romaine.

"If you've got to use, mayo dressing you choose: romaine.
When your cran is done, but you want to eat on; romaine.
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie; romaine.

"So if you want to turk down, white bread all around; romaine.
if you pile the meat high, you might still "kiss the sky"; romaine.
i don't lie, i don't lie, i don't lie -- romaine!"

-- written by J.J. Kale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYS732...

[alkapal]

how about this, inspired by fellow hounds http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/574036 :

deep fried spring rolls with julienned turkey, ginger, scallion, cellophane noodles, jicama. served with a cranberry-tarted up "plum" dipping sauce:

nigella's plum sauce recipe: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/4134...

or serve the same ingredients in a fresh rice roll wrapper, with cilantro and mint added in.

[BeeZee]

I'm a traditionalist...love the "thanksgiving sandwich" which is cold turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing on sourdough. Las time I had leftover stuffing I even pressed it into a rectangular container for storage so I could cut out blocks for my sandwich!
Also love the turkey reuben, with 'kraut, "russian dressing" and swiss cheese on grilled rye.

[alkapal]

i too love the traditional. your idea of the stuffing press is great! (lookout, someone else (rr) will now start selling it!) and the turkey reuben i love with cole slaw -- i know, "not a reuben"... but delicious!