thanksgiving sandwich

Hello hello! Happy Thanksgiving friends! Here is a recipe for a Thanksgiving inspired sandwich. It is a wonderful roadmap for using up t-day leftovers, or a great twist on a turkey sandwich to make any old time, a great way to make an average lunch full of gratitude. This recipe was inspired by an episode of Friends, and is featured in episode #9 of my podcast Friends with Food! Give it a listen!

If you have Thanksgiving leftovers handy may I suggest you assemble them in the following manner: mix cranberry sauce with cream cheese and apply to bottom slice of bread. Top with any form of sweet potatoes or regular potatoes that you happen to have. Layer turkey on top of this. Add any greens you have, cooked or raw, or the dregs of your salad prep. Dark leafies are great here as well as chopped celery, but use what you have! Extra credit for adding stuffing and/or gravy. If you need a bit of a moistmaker, try out the vinaigrette recipe below!

Second idea: make the below vinaigrette, dress a bowl of your favorite salad greens, and throw all your t-day leftovers on top! Drizzle with a bit more dressing, top with crunchy salt, black pepper, and maybe a sliced scallion or a shower of fresh herbs. Now you're really in business!!

If it is not Thanksgiving, follow the below recipe for a fun fall take on a turkey sandwich. Take it to work and don’t forget to write an aggressively violent note to ward off hungry coworkers.

Cheers y’all!

The holidays can be hard, y’all. Ross gets it! Now you can enjoy the sandwich that Ross couldn’t!

thanksgiving sandwich

makes two

1 medium sweet potato

1/2 tsp ground ginger

kosher salt

fresh ground pepper

olive oil

1/4 cup cranberry sauce (any type-- store bought is fine!)

1/4 cup cream cheese

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp dried sage

1/4 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp celery seed

1/2 tsp chicken bullion

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp butter

1 clove garlic

2 hoagie rolls

1 stalk celery

large handful baby kale, spinach, kale, or chard

4oz turkey

Preheat oven to 425F. Peel sweet potato and cut into 1/4 inch rounds. Prepare a sheet pan with parchment paper or foil, and pile on the sweet potato slices. Drizzle with two tablespoons olive oil, ground ginger, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Use your hands to toss it all together, making sure each slice is coated and seasoned. Spread slices out into a single layer. Roast for 20 minutes, flipping once half way through. Sweet potato should be completely tender and a slightly browned. When the sweet potato is done, remove from oven and set aside.

Place the cranberry sauce and the cream cheese in a small bowl and mash together with a fork. It's ok if there are some lumps, it doesn't need to be completely smooth and uniform. Season with a bit of black pepper to taste. Set aside.

In a jar or small bowl, combine 2 tbsp olive oil, sage, thyme, celery seed, a good grind of black pepper, apple cider vinegar, and chicken bullion. Whisk vigorously to combine, or if using a jar seal tightly and shake to combine well. Taste vinaigrette and add salt to taste (depending on how salty your chicken bullion is you may not need to add much). Dip in a piece of lettuce or greens to get a proper taste.

Grate or finely mince the garlic clove and add to a small bowl or jar along with the butter. Microwave for 30seconds to 1minute. You want the butter to be melted and the garlic to be fragrant.

Cut hoagie rolls lengthwise (you may leave them attached on one side/hinged if you'd like). Brush or spoon the cut surfaces with the garlic butter. Place rolls cut side down in a pan over medium low heat for several minutes (2-5),until nice and toasty. Meanwhile, dice the celery stalk. Add the celery and your greens to a medium bowl, and add the vinaigrette. Mix thoroughly.

It's now time to assemble your sandwiches! Spread a thick layer of cranberry cream cheese on the bottom half of the roll. Next, add a layer of roasted sweet potato. On top of this, stack your turkey slices. Put the greens and celery on top (the celery may fall to the bottom of the mixing bowl, just make sure it gets on the sandwich). Add the top half of the roll and you are done! Cut in half if desired. Can be made ahead and taken to work for lunch, be sure to add an aggressive sign threatening anyone who might think of stealing your sandwich!