Autumn in Sandwich Form!

It's most certainly Autumn here in Deutschland. The leaves are changing, the kuerbis (pumpkin) patches are appearing, there's fall decorations up the wazoo at every store you visit and I love it. I know I've made numerous posts about the joys of fall, but hey it's my favorite season! So while grazing through one of my first cookbooks, "Pampered Chef's Cooking for Two or More" I found the PERFECT fall time sandwich for this Sunday's NFL dinner.

I know what you're thinking foodie friends, "Pampered Chef? Isn't that those parties my cousin who I barely know invites me to every month? They have cookbooks?" Yes and Yes. I bought this cookbook and few newlywed items from my first (and only) Pampered Chef experience 3 years ago. And you know what, I am happy I did! This book is full of different and very delicious looking recipes ranging from ultra elegant, to quick weeknight deliciousness. The book, of course, has use this or that from Pampered Chef, but honestly you don't need to.

So what awesomeness did I choose? Turkey Panini with Onion-Cranberry Marmalade. The perfect sandwich for the season!  Made with multigrain bread, smoked turkey breast, seasonal apples and a marmalade with delicious cranberries, orange marmalade sweet caramelized onions and cider vinegar for an extra tang. I dunno about you all, but these ingredients reminds me of my favorite holiday Thanksgiving! The holiday of the season.

 I also made Homemade BBQ Potato Chips on the side. I am surprised the chips made it to the dinner table with my family (ok me, too) sneaking chips the whole time! They are THAT good, though!

Turkey Panini with Onion Cranberry Marmalade
Adapted from Pampered Chef's Cooking for Two & More


4 slices of multigrain bread
Vegetable oil or spray
4 slices of Havarti Cheese
4 ounces or 6 thinly sliced deli mesquite turkey
1 Granny Smith apple, cut into 8 thin slices

Onion-Cranberry Marmalade
1/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup dried  sweetened cranberries
1 t vegetable oil
2 cups  of onion thinly sliced
2 T cider vinegar
2 T orange marmalade

Directions

Begin with the Onion-Cranberry Marmalade

Pour hot water over cranberries in a small bowl. Allow to stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a saute pan over medium heat; add onions. Cook and stir for 5 minutes, or until softened and  begins to caramelize. 

Add vinegar; stir to loosen brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add orange marmalade, cranberries with liquid. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

Now assemble sandwiches.

Lightly Spray one side of bread slices with oil; arrange bread, with oil side down. Top two bread slices with half the cheese, turkey, marmalade and apple slices. Top with remaining cheese and bread slices, oil side up.

Heat a grill pan on medium heat or electric grill or panini maker. Place sandwiches on grill and cook 3 to 4 minutes. If using grill pan, turn once.

These tasted really nice. Felt like Thanksgiving in sandwich. Certainly a new staple! And the variations are endless.

BBQ Potato Chips

About 4 Yukon Gold potatoes

1 T vinegar

About 6 cups of canola or peanut oil

2 T sweet paprika

1 T sugar

1 t onion powder

1/4 t garlic powder

Salt and Pepper

Direction

Heat oil in large pan on medium high heat. Slice potatoes very thinly with either a sharp knife or a mandoline. 

Places slices in cold water mixed with vinegar to remove all the starchiness. It helps make a crisper chip, IMO. Do so for at least 10 minutes. Prep the sandwiches or barbecue seasoning in the meantime if you like.

Now drain water from potatoes; place on a baking sheet lined with paper towels then pat dry. You must make sure the potatoes are dry as possible to prevent a grease fire! Water and hot oil don't mix!

Meanwhile, prep barbecue seasoning.

Add paprika, sugar, onion powder, and garlic powder to a small bowl.

Now, add potatoes in small bunches at a time to hot oil. Turn and move around with a spatula. Depending on thickness of potatoes, this can take from 3 to 5 minutes. Once, done, add to another baking sheet or plate lines with paper towels. Immediately season with salt, pepper and barbecue seasoning.

Try not to eat them all. It's hard to resist, I swear. Just keep going until all of the potatoes are cooked. And you're left with these fabulous results!

Hope you try and enjoy these!