Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Turkey, Apple, and Brie Panini

My goal lately has been to make flavorful meals that a) don't heat up the kitchen and b) come together very quickly. I kept running into the turkey-green apple-Brie combination. Initially on a sandwich at Bread & Company I believe, and then on a flatbread at Urban Flats. One morning while I was making pancakes, I discovered I had yet to use the panini plates for my George Foreman and an idea was born.

I've noticed now, that when I eat at restaurants, I am much more attentive to flavor combinations as influences for meals I might make at home. I think it is so frustrating to go to a restaurant and only find things on the menu that you could make yourself! Like a chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese and sundried tomato is not exactly a ground-breaking flavor combination.

Because there are so few ingredients, the quality really matters. The tartness of the apple plays against the bite of the Dijon mustard beautifully, and the creaminess of the Brie ties everything together. I served these with sweet potato fries for a quick, satisfying dinner for two!

Turkey, Apple, and Brie Paninis
High-quality bread (I used homemade.)
Sliced turkey breast deli meat
Thinly sliced green apple
Dijon mustard
Thin slices of Brie

Spread a thin coat of Dijon mustard on each slice of bread. Layer turkey, Brie, and then apple. Heat George Foreman with panini plates or panini press. Spray with cooking spray and cook until bread is browned and cheese is melted. Cut diagonally in half and serve.