Recipe: Turkey Panini with Cranberry Chutney and Sunflower Seeds

the appetizer:

With a sandwich press and 200 Best Panini Recipes by Tiffany Collins, make recipes like Hawaiian Chicken Panini; Turkey Panini with Cranberry Chutney and Sunflower Seeds; and Beef Fajita Quesadillas.

Cookbook

Turkey Panini
with Cranberry Chutney
and Sunflower Seeds

Serves 2

I love, love, love this panini. Cranberries and turkey remind me of Thanksgiving, but I don't need to wait for the holiday to enjoy this treat. Sunflower seeds add flavor and a bit of crunch.

4 slices French bread (1/2-inch/1 cm thick slices)
1 tbsp olive oil (15 mL)
1/4 cup cranberry chutney (50 mL)
2 tbsp mayonnaise (25 mL
3 oz roasted turkey breast, thinly sliced (90 g)
2 oz Swiss cheese, thinly sliced (60 g)
6 thin slices plum (Roma) tomato
2 curly-leaf lettuce leaves
1 tbsp roasted salted sunflower seeds (15 mL)

Preheat panini grill to high.

1. Brush one side of each bread slice with oil. Place on a work surface, oiled side down, and spread chutney over bottom halves. Spread mayonnaise over top halves. On bottom halves, evenly layer, with turkey, cheese, tomato and lettuce. Sprinkle evenly with sunflower seeds. Cover with top halves and press gently to pack.

2. Place sandwiches in grill, close the top plate and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

Tips

Chutney is a spicy condiment containing fruit, vinegar, sugar and spices from East Indian cuisine. The texture can range from chunky to smooth. If you cannot find cranberry chutney, substitute peach or mango.

I enjoy the flavor of salted sunflower seeds, but unsalted works just as well if you are watching your sodium intake.

Variation

Substitute toasted chopped walnuts for the sunflower seeds.