Description
Hearty sun-dried tomato pesto turkey sandwich delivers Mediterranean flavors between fresh ciabatta slices. Crisp ingredients and zesty sauce create a delightful lunch experience you can savor with minimal preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6.8 oz (192 g) sliced turkey breast
- 4 slices provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (packed in oil, drained)
- ¼ cup basil leaves
- 4 slices sourdough, ciabatta, or whole-grain bread
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsps butter or olive oil (for toasting the bread)
- ½ cup baby spinach or arugula
- 1 tbsp pine nuts or walnuts (optional)
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pesto Creation: Pulverize sun-dried tomatoes, basil, parmesan, pine nuts, and garlic in a food processor, gradually streaming olive oil and lemon juice until achieving a smooth, cohesive mixture.
- Seasoning Refinement: Adjust the pesto’s flavor profile with salt and pepper, tasting and modifying to personal preference, then set aside for sandwich assembly.
- Bread Preparation: Toast bread slices until they develop a golden, crisp exterior that provides a sturdy foundation for the sandwich.
- Pesto Layering: Spread the crafted sun-dried tomato pesto generously and evenly across the toasted bread surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Protein and Freshness Assembly: Layer thinly sliced turkey meat over the pesto, then top with crisp lettuce leaves to introduce a contrasting texture and fresh element.
- Sandwich Completion: Crown the layered ingredients with the second bread slice, pressing gently to integrate the components and create a unified culinary experience.
- Serving Presentation: Slice the sandwich diagonally to showcase its vibrant layers, and serve immediately to maintain optimal taste and textural qualities.
Notes
- Enhance Pesto Flavor: Add a splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar to the pesto for deeper, more complex taste notes.
- Prevent Soggy Bread: Toast bread thoroughly and let it cool slightly before spreading pesto to create a moisture barrier that keeps bread crisp.
- Boost Nutrition: Swap regular turkey for roasted or grilled turkey breast to reduce processed meat and increase protein quality.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Use gluten-free bread for celiac-friendly version or swap pine nuts with sunflower seeds for nut-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 517
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 905 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg