Turkey, Brie and Apple Grilled Sandwich

Begin by preheating your panini press, grill pan, skillet or oven. If using a grill pan or skillet, heat over medium heat; if using an oven, set to broil (on the low setting, if that’s an option).

Start building the sandwich by laying out your sandwich bread and lightly brushing the insides with olive oil. On one piece of bread, spread apple butter; on the other, mayonnaise. You don’t need much of either.

Cut the brie into thin slices. To make the brie easier to slice (and to remove the rind, if you’re like me and want your cheese to be free), put the brie in the freezer for 20 to 30 minutes. Use a serrated knife with long, smooth, strokes for happy brie slicing. Place one layer of brie slices on one piece of the bread.

Next, thinly slice your apple of choice. I used a Granny Smith, but you can use what you’d like. Just make sure it’s nice and crispy. Top the layer of brie with a layer of apple slices.

Add the turkey* on top of the apple. I used turkey breast from my local deli, which was fine, but I can’t wait to try it with that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving!

(*If you’d like to make a version without the turkey, add a second layer of brie in place of the turkey for a fancy pants grilled cheese.)

Season with salt and pepper to your liking. I like lots of pepper.

If you’re using a panini press, grill pan or skillet, lightly brush the heated surface with olive oil before placing the sandwich on.

Panini/grill press users: place the sandwich on and “press” for about 4 minutes. Check every minute or so to avoid burning. You want the cheese to melt and the sandwich to warm but not burn. And the little grill lines are cool, too.

Grill pan or skillet users: place the sandwich in the pan, then place another pan on top to press the sandwich. Or press the sandwich with a spatula. Cook on one side for about 2 minutes, then flip and cook on other side for about 2 more minutes. Again, you’ll want the cheese to melt and sandwich to warm but be careful to watch for burning.

Using your oven on broil? Lightly brush the outside of the sandwich with olive oil. Place sandwich on a baking sheet or directly on the oven baking rack in a heated oven. Be very careful to watch for burning. After about 2 minutes, carefully (carefully!) flip sandwich and continue heating for another minute or two. Cook time will depend on your oven and your bread choice. Don’t walk away—keep an eye on it.

Enjoy!