Lunch: Pressed Roast Turkey, Pesto, and Provolone Sandwiches

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Basil

Health benefits of Pressed Roast Turkey, Pesto, and Provolone Sandwiches

Basil is an excellent stress reliever, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients

8 slices ciabatta or other crusty Italian or hearty white sandwich bread
4 tablespoons prepared basil pesto
4 slices provolone cheese (about 4 ounces)
8 slices roast turkey (about 8 ounces)
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salad (hearts of romaine and tomato), for serving, optional

Instructions

Lay the bread slices on a clean work surface, and spread 1 1/2 teaspoons of the pesto over one side of each slice of bread. Divide the cheese evenly among the slices. Cook's Note: depending on the size of your cheese slices, you may need to cut them in half so that you can have cheese on both sides. Divide the roast turkey slices evenly among 4 of the bread slices. Place the remaining cheese-topped slices on top of the turkey-topped slices to form 4 sandwiches. Brush the outside of each sandwich with some of the olive oil.
Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. When it is hot, add the sandwiches, in batches if necessary, and weight them with a sandwich press or another skillet (or other heavy object). Cook until the sandwiches are golden brown and crisp and the cheese has melted, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Remove the sandwiches, cut in half on the diagonal, and serve immediately, with a simple side salad of hearts of romaine and tomato, if desired.
NotesThough we prefer the crisp, ridged exterior you get when these sandwiches are cooked in a grill pan, they can also be cooked in a saute pan or panini press; the cook time will vary slightly.