"Rubbed and Almost Fried" Turkey Panini

prep time:: 3 min
total time:: 15 min

Makes 4 sandwiches

Kristen

Whitehurst Dinner: June 13, 2009

ingredients

Sandwich Ingredients

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Focaccia bread, about 10-inches square
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 pound thinly sliced Pete’s Almost Fried Turkey, recipe follows
3 tablespoons thinly sliced roasted red pepper
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
2 cups mixed baby greens
3 tablespoons Key Lime Garlic Mayonnaise, recipe follows

Rubbed and Almost Fried Turkey

1/4 cup roughly chopped garlic
1/4 cup roughly chopped fresh rosemary leaves
3 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh sage
2 lemons, zest finely grated
1/4 cup kosher salt
3 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
3 pounds boneless, skinless turkey breast
Oil, for frying

Garlic Mayonnaise Ingredients

1 large egg
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons minced garlic
Juice of 2 key limes and zest of 1
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups vegetable oil

directions

Sandwich Instructions

1
Slice the focaccia into 4 equal pieces; then slice each piece horizontally for sandwiches. Spread some of the Dijon mustard on the cut side of the bottom half of each focaccia. Top bread evenly with turkey, peppers, and season with salt and pepper. Add mozzarella and baby greens, and drizzle the balsamic dressing on top. Smear the top half of each focaccia with Key Lime Garlic Mayonnaise, and place on top of greens to finish sandwich. Brush the tops and bottoms of each sandwich with olive oil.
2
Heat a sandwich press, or use cast iron pans and aluminum foil covered bricks to press sandwiches. Cook the sandwiches, in batches if needed, until the cheese melts and the bread is toasted. Serve.

Rubbed and Almost Fried Turkey

1
Process the garlic, herbs, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with the metal blade until coarsely ground. Rub mixture generously over turkey breast. Roll the turkey breast into a compact shape by turning the smaller end of the breast under. Wrap tightly in 3 layers of heavy-duty aluminum foil.
2
Fill a deep heavy-bottomed pot 2/3’s full with oil. Heat over medium-high until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350 degrees F. Fry the turkey breast, wrapped in the foil, for 35 minutes or 12 minutes per pound. Carefully remove turkey from oil and set aside, wrapped in the foil, to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate turkey until firm enough to thinly slice, at least 2 hours or overnight.
3
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Garlic Mayonnaise Instructions

Pulse the egg, mustard, garlic and lime juice in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream until the mixture is pale in color and thick. Transfer mayonnaise to a bowl, stir in zest, cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Source: Kristen