Turkey Sandwich

What’s Playing? Diane Birch – “Bible Belt” (Listen here) (Buy from )

Is there anything better than the first beautiful day following a dreary winter? I don’t think so, and if there is, you should introduce us because I’d love to meet whatever it is.

I don’t think I could have picked a better day to make a turkey sandwich. It’s picnic weather and this, my friend, is one heck of a picnic sandwich. Tender 5-grain bread, lightly smoked turkey, the crunch of peppery arugula, an unbelievably delicious onion jam– throw me a beer and call me happy.

Best of all, like any really great sandwich, it’s simple. The toughest part is the onion jam, but that needs to be made ahead to let the flavors mellow and delishify (that’s right, delishify, take that Rachel Ray!).

Serve the sandwich next to some freshly fried potato chips with a generous sprinkling of sea salt and I dare you not to enjoy it.

P.s. – Don’t forget to check out the “What’s playing?” music (it’s below the first picture). It’s a really great album, perfect for the upcoming warm weather.

Turkey Sandwich Recipe:

• Whole grain bread (we used 5-grain Italian wheat from Publix)
• Boar’s Head hickory smoked turkey breast (sliced medium thickness)
• Arugula
• Homemade Mayonnaise
• Caramelized onion jam (click for recipe)

I can’t really give you a recipe for a sandwich. Just know that with something so simple quality ingredients are really important.

I can, however, give you a suggestion on the order of ingredients for the best result. To start, slather one slice of bread with mayo, then the onion jam, add the arugula, turkey, and finish by slathering the other slice of bread with mayo (no jam!).

Mayonnaise Recipe

• 1 TBps Sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
• 1 large egg yolk
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup canola, vegetable, or light olive oil

1) Combine the egg yolk, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, and whisk until well-combined.

2) Very slowly drizzle in the oil, making sure that the mixture doesn’t break.

Tip: if it looks like it’s going to break, stop and whisk until it looks normal again, thin the mixture with a tsp of water and continue.

3) Keep drizzling the oil and whisking. Yes, I know your arm hurts. Feel the burn.

4) When finished, season to taste with salt, pepper, vinegar, and a pinch of cayenne, if desired.

5) Congratulate yourself on homemade mayo and go put some ice on that arm, Champ.