This Turkey Artichoke Panini is like your favorite cafe sandwich at home!
I think I’m a comfort food junkie.
Or I’m just Italian. One or the other.
Like if there is a big celebration, there needs to be big celebration food!
If there is a big disaster, there needs to be big disaster food!
#duh
So back in my past life when I was a social worker and long before I had kids, I did child abuse and neglect investigations. It was INTENSE to say the least. I mean, it was fascinating work, like solving puzzles . . . . just really really sad puzzles that involved actual human beings.
So naturally, there was a lot of comfort fooding that needed to happen.
Needed.
The ultimate best comfort food when I was working that job came on Fridays when I would make my way to Panera, not far from my office, and get a bowl of New England Clam Chowder and their Turkey Artichoke Panini. And I would sit there in Panera just taking a break from reality and enjoying the comfort food . . . not really. I would race back to the office and eat at my desk while I worked. . . . . you know, a really healthy work life balance.
So needless to say, I’m not upset that I’m no longer at that job.
Wait. I take that back. I do miss it. I miss using that part of my brain. Which is why I got so pumped up about that conference the other day. But I don’t miss the ulcer eating stress of that job.
I do miss Panera’s Turkey Artichoke Panini! These are not exactly the same, but similar enough that I completely devoured one without blinking post photo shoot, even though I’d promised myself I’d have a healthy salad for lunch. Paninis always get the best of me!
See? Comfort food junkie. :)
This is one of those recipes that doesn’t so much count as a recipe. I don’t measure when I make sandwiches, because it sucks the joy out of it for me, so I’m giving you a loose sense of what’s in there, but you know, use your sandwich making discretion. I have faith in you.
Turkey Artichoke Panini
Ingredients
- Jennie-O Sun Dried Tomato Turkey about four ounces
- Pesto about 1 tablespoon
- Light Mayonnaise about 1 tablespoon
- Artichoke hearts chopped, about 1 and a half
- Crumbled feta about 1 tablespoon
- French Miche Bread from Panera two slices
Instructions
- Grease a panini press with cooking spray. Spread mayonnaise on one slice of bread and pesto on the other. Layer the remaining ingredients and cook in panini press until the green light comes on.
did you make this
Turkey Artichoke Panini
Kathleen @ yummy crumble says
This looks amazing! I really need to get a panini press. And now I found a reason! Pinning ;)
Thanks Kathleen!
Amy | Club Narwhal says
I love your work/life balance–Panera broccoli cheddar is sometimes the only way I get through my day :) But now I’m dying to add this panini to the mix! I got a panini maker ages ago and hardly ever bust it out. Which is a great shame and will be immediately rectified upon making this gorgeous sandwich!
Lol! You should for sure bust out your panini maker! It will become a fixture in your kitchen!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
You had me at Panera…it almost makes having a 9 to 5 job worthwhile…
Hahaha! Yup, almost . . .
Rachelle says
I do love me a panini and that looks amazing! Pesto and mayo? Yes please! I totally get what you said about work-life balance and being a social worker. I spent several years as a public defender and way too many lunches at my desk. Maybe if I would have had a Panera close by or this panini it would have been more tolerable!
Melissa says
Um, yum! I love paninis! I don’t have a panini press. I just use my George Foreman grill, and it works like a charm!
Thanks Melissa!