Yikes! Thanksgiving is only 4 days away. I’m not going to lie, I’m shaking in my boots a little. I’m not remotely ready for Thanksgiving this year.

I have nothing checked off of my list. The shopping hasn’t been done. I’m in charge of dessert this year, and I haven’t even thought about what I’m going to make. Oh, and there’s the sweet potato casserole and macaroni and cheese to think about, which, by the way, I haven’t done either. See what I mean about shaking in my boots? I need to jump on the Thanksgiving band wagon and get things rolling.

One thing I have thought about is Thanksgiving leftovers. I know this sounds a bit backwards, but our #SundaySupper theme this week is all about what to do with the fifteen pounds of turkey, five pounds of sweet potatoes, three pounds of mashed potatoes, two containers of green bean casserole, and half a pumpkin pie you have left over because you decided to make dinner for an army instead of your family of five.

Hey, Thanksgiving is an exciting holiday, so I can see why we tend to go a bit overboard. Plus, there’s also that looming fear of not having enough food for everyone (which is never the case). There are so many delicious recipes floating around on the Interweb that it’s hard to decide which dishes to make so you end up making them all. No? That’s just me?

I always overdue it during the holidays and end up with leftovers for an entire week after the main event. My fridge is always packed to the brim after the BIG day that opening the fridge can be a bit tricky. If you’re not careful, you chance being knocked out by a tupperware container or two.

If you’re anything like me, then I have good news. The #SundaySupper crew is here to save the day and rescue everyone from the pile of leftovers that are taking over the fridge.

I always seem to have an abundance of turkey and cranberry sauce left over, so I decided to go with a turkey panini topped with cranberry sauce and a goat cheese tarragon aioli.

The sweetness of the cranberry sauce pairs perfectly with the creamy goat cheese and anise flavored tarragon. I tell ya, it’s a match made in heaven.

I always had this idea that a panini required a panini maker. It doesn’t! I rigged one up with two heavy pans and a piece of aluminum foil. What I don’t need is another useless gadget to store in my kitchen.

All you have to do is heat a cast iron skillet, place the assembled panini in the pan, top it with a piece of aluminum foil, then place a heavy pan (or an aluminum foil covered brick) directly on top of the panini and press down. Viola, panini maker. Here’s what mine looked like:

This is great for the following days when you’re in a turkey stupor and require a meal that takes little effort. Slap the leftovers on some bread and warm it up until the bread is crispy on each side; that’s it.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Check out the other recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers:

Breakfast & Brunch

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Rolls by Juanita’s Cocina

Turkey Cranberry Muffins by In the Kitchen with Audrey

Sweet Potato Biscuits by Home Cooking Memories

Main Course

Turkey Enchiladas by Webicurean

Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole by FamilyFoodie

Turkey and Cranberry Monte Cristo by Supper for a Steal

Thanksgiving hangover sandwich by Crispy Bits & Burt Ends

Turkey Tamale Pie by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts

Thanksgiving Leftovers Pot Pie by I Run For Wine

Turkey and Stuffing Pasty by Small Wallet Big Appetite

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Leftovers Sandwich by Daily Dish Recipes

Turkey Vegetable Hash by Generation Y Foodie

Turkey Tetrazzini by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Thanksgiving Leftovers: Turkey and Andouille Gumbo for #SundaySupper by Catholic Foodie

Red Potato Turkey Cutlets with Ginger & Fresh Herbs by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz

Thanksgiving Turkey Banh Mi Sandwich by 30AEats

Leftover Turkey and Sausage Gumbo by My Catholic Kitchen

Turkey Mornay Open-Face Sandwiches by The Weekend Gourmet

Leftover Mashed Potatoes and Beef Croquettes by Pippis in the Kitchen Again

Simple and easy! Turkey a la king, fit for a queen! by Midlife Road Trip

Turkey and Mushroom Risotto by Comfy Cuisine

Vegetarian Shepherd’s Pie by The Wimpy Vegetarian

Kartoffelpuffer – German Potato Pancakes by MrsMamaHen

Skillet Turkey Reuben by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Gluten-Free Turkey Shepard’s Cake by Cooking Underwriter

Hearty Ham and Cheese Penne Pasta by Mama Mommy Mom

Hawaiian BBQ Turkey Flatbread Pizza by Damn Delicious

Turkey shepards pie! by The Realistic Nutritionist

Spicy Turkey Chili for #SundaySupper #Leftovers by Hot Curries and Cold Beer

Turkey & Cranberry Panini with Tarragon Aioli by The Messy Baker Blog

Soups, Salads, Sides & Starters

Gluten Free Turkey and Dumplings by The Meltaways

Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Shallots and Pancetta by Girl in the Little Red Kitchen

Curried Turkey Salad  by Kimchi Mom

Potato Patties w/ Tomato Salsa by La Cocina De Leslie

Spicy Coconut Turkey Soup by Diabetic Foodie

Mashed Potatoes Twice Baked by Hezzi-D’s Books & Cooks

Moroccan Chicken Salad with Rice by My Trial’s in the Kitchen

Cranberry Barbecue Stuffed Sweet Potatoes by Cupcakes and Kale Chips

Olive Tapenade by Fast Food to Fresh Food

Leftover Turkey Soup by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen

Sweet Potato Bread Pudding by MarocMama 

Sweets & Desserts

Cranberry Sauce Crumb Bars by girlichef

Pumpkin Gingersnap Truffles by Chocolate Moosey

Sweet Potato Spice Cake with Pecan Streusel Topping by Shockingly Delicious

Chocolate Peanut Butter Potato Frosting by Yummy Smells

Wine Pairings for the Recipes Featured

Wine Pairings for Thanksgiving Leftovers #SundaySupper by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog

Please join on us on Twitter throughout the day during #SundaySupper on November 18.  In the evening we will meet at 7pm EST for our weekly #SundaySupper live chat. All you have to do is follow the #SundaySupper hashtag or you can follow us through TweetChat.

We’d also love to feature your recipe for Thanksgiving Leftovers on our #SundaySupper Pinterest board to share them with all of our followers, too.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Turkey & Cranberry Panini with Goat Cheese Tarragon Aioli

 

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Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

4 mins

Total time

9 mins

 

Author: Jennie

Recipe type: Sandwich

Ingredients

• Aioli:
• 4 oz. goat cheese
• 1 tbs. lemon juice
• 3 tbs. fresh tarragon, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• salt & pepper
• Sandwich:
• 2 pieces of crusty bread
• ½ cup cooked turkey, shredded
• 2 tbs. cranberry sauce
• ¼ cup baby spinach
• 1-2 tbs. goat cheese tarragon aioli

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, add goat cheese and lemon juice. Mix with a rubber spatula to combine. Stir in tarragon, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat. While the pan is heating assemble the panini.
3. Slice the bread about a ½-inch thick. Smear one side of the bread with the goat cheese aioli. Place the turkey on the other slice of bread and top with the cranberry sauce and spinach. Place the cheese smeared slice on top and place assembled panini in the skillet.
4. Top the panini with a slice of aluminum foil, then place a heavy skillet (or aluminum foil covered brick) directly on top of the panini and press down.
5. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until the bread is golden brown.
6. Slice and eat.

3.1.08