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This past weekend, we had an early Thanksgiving … for no other reason than Hubby and I love, love, love turkey and dressing.
And, we were tired of waiting for it.
I didn’t go all out with our meal; there are only four in our family that eat solid food and only TWO of us (the adults) eat everything we are served, so making a huge meal would have been ridiculous. No, I kept it simple: salad, a small pan of cornbread dressing, homemade Crockpot Chipotle Cranberry Sauce, and a few turkey legs and a breast (which were also cooked in a slow-cooker).
It was all lip-smacking fantastic.
The Chipotle Cranberry Sauce is something I have been trying to make for about three years, after falling in love with a smokey store-bought cranberry-chipotle sauce (you know, the kind that is poured over cream cheese and served with crackers). Sure, I could just keep using the bottle from the store, but I wanted to make my own — a whole-berry sauce rather than a completely pureed one.
For three years I’ve been trying to make that sauce, trying various combinations of fruit, sweeteners and dried chipotle peppers.
It turns out the solution was whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. I had no idea the smokey flavor I loved was from that smokey paprika goodness found in a spicy adobo sauce.
But now I know. Woo hoo for me.
The day after our feast, despite being careful not to make a ton of food, we still had leftovers and Hubby wanted them reinvented. The gauntlet was thrown and I accepted the challenge.
Enter the Turkey and Cranberry Panini.
Ciabatta bread. Turkey. Cranberry sauce. Havarti Cheese. Spinach and Arugula.
Nothing short of divine and, according to a Hubby who ate TWO of these for lunch, “the best freakin’ sandwich ever.”
(sorry, he’s a little rough around the edges but I’m working on him)
Here’s the recipe just in time for the day after Thanksgiving and all the leftovers.
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About Rachel Lacy
My name is Rachel -- I share tales about food and family. I'm a home-cook who focuses on fresh & simple meals to both fuel us and to help us celebrate our family-life. My day starts with coffee. Lots of coffee. 
Monday - Corn Casserole, Pepper Steak, Salad
Tuesday - 
Great for the day after Thanksgiving.
That looks divine. Makes me want to get a panini press!
These look so delicious girl! Oh my goodness! Yum!
I love slow cooker recipes…your panini looks awesome! Will have file this one away for turkey leftovers!
I LOVE paninis. This would be a great way to use Thanksgiving leftovers!
This looks AMAZING! I am definitely making this soon!
That cranberry sauce sounds really good. Thanks!
This looks soooo yummy!
Kas
I love cranberries and cranberry sauce so I need to try these
I like to try this looks delicious..Thanks for sharing the recipe..I might try to cook this..
OMG yum! That looks amazing and perfect for this time of year!
Yum, this makes me want an early Thanksgiving!! Sounds fantastic or should I say “lip smacking good”:)
The Turkey and Cranberry Panini looks amazing!
I’ve tasted “adobo” a several times and it’s good. A little bit salty but it’s delicious. I will try this recipe and serve it to my family, and hope to make it right. And I hope there will be no leftover. That means that they like it. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your cranberry sauce recipe! I am determined to make it this year (I never have before!), and making it with chipotle sounds really good.
these sound lip smacking good!! And reminds me of all the best flavors of thanksgiving. I can’t wait for thanksgiving!
This looks great!
These sound great, I should try them (especially the panini…it wasn’t until recently I realized how absolutely yummy cranberries are).
You are my slow cooking soul mate. I also loooove my slow cooker. I am going to try one..or both of these recipes!
That looks really yummy and simple!
Sounds very interesting and I want to try it! I
I have a panini maker and have not yet put it to good use. This is definitely incentive to put it to use.
Looks and sounds delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
it’s about that time, I have a lot to do
Yummy! Would love if you added this to our Thanksgiving Recipe Blog Hop and we are offering a prize to the recipe with the most votes! http://is.gd/4G4FKm
I love Chipotle peppers on anything, this sounds totally interesting!
Now, I’m hungry! YUM!
Perfect for leftovers. Thanks for sharing!
This grabbed my eye. It’s a keeper. I’m going to have to try this, looks wonderful.
Oh yum! I have always loved cranberry and turkey sandwiches! This looks amazing!