Turkey and Cheese with Blueberry Sandwich

Craving a sandwich that's anything but ordinary? Discover our tantalizing Turkey and Cheese with Arugula Rocket and Spiced Blueberry Sandwich. This gourmet twist on a sandwich shop favorite combines deli roasted turkey breast, creamy Swiss cheese, peppery arugula, zippy quick pickled red onions and a uniquely spiced blueberry jam for a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more. Dive into the details and learn how to create this unforgettable sandwich in your own kitchen.

In the heart of Philadelphia, Matt Cahn crafts a masterpiece known as the Surfer at his acclaimed eatery, Middle Child. Inspired by his meticulous layering of flavors, I present my take on the classic turkey and cheese sandwich.   This version, while paying homage to Cahn's original creation, adds a few unique twists.

Pam's Turkey Sandwich Recipe Tips

Imagine melty Swiss cheese paired with slices of roasted turkey, complemented by the peppery bite of arugula, all inside a toasted ciabatta roll.

We elevate the experience with a layer of spiced blueberry jam, enhanced with a squeeze of lemon, a pinch of garam masala, for a hint of warm spice, and topped off with my go-to quick-pickled red onions. This sandwich, much like Cahn's, ensures that every bite is bursting with flavor and moist perfection, proving that even the simplest of sandwiches can be a gourmet delight.

What you'll need

A spiced blueberry jam anchors this turkey and cheese sandwich on a toasted ciabatta roll. Then we add another layer of flavor by dressing the arugula with vinegar, oil and a spoonful of spiced blueberry jam and zippy topping of quick pickled red onion.  I promise this sandwich will become your new favorite turkey and cheese sandwich.

Here are the ingredients you will need for this Turkey and Cheese with Arugula Rocket and Spiced Blueberry Sandwich:

• ciabatta roll
• Swiss cheese or gruyere – I like to slit my ciabatta roll and place a slice of cheese on the top half of the roll and pop it in the oven for a toasted bun with melty cheese.  I found a cheddar gruyere a fusion of creamy aged perfection in my local food cooperative deli. But you could also use Provolone.  If you want to skip the melting of cheese, use a spreadable soft cheese like goat cheese, brie, or even cream cheese.  These spreadable cheeses deliver the creaminess we are looking for while balancing with the flavors of spiced jam.
• Mayonnaise
• Deli turkey slices – I opt for roasted turkey slices but you can easily use smoked or honey roasted turkey.
• Arugula rocket greens - Love it or hate it, rocket is popular all over the world. Also known as arugula, roquette and rucola.  The flavor will be more peppery than other greens but really works well with the turkey, cheese and spiced blueberry jam sandwich.  Hate it? You can opt for chopped romaine or spring greens.
• Pickled red onion (optional) – these pickled sandwich topping gems are easy to make, need only 30 minutes to “pickle” and truly elevate this sandwich.
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Spiced Blueberry Jam

• blueberry Jam – we will spice the jam, adding a pinch of garam marsala, a spritz of lemon juice and a dash of salt.   You can use homemade 3-ingredient blueberry jam without pectin or streamline the jam making process by using store-bought blueberry jam.
• garam marsala – an Indian spice blend. Garam means "hot" while masala means "spices," but it's not necessarily hot and spicy — the name refers to the warm flavors of its ingredients, such as cinnamon and cumin. I opt for store bought garam marsala to add a bit of warm spice to the jam.  You can find this spice in most local grocery stores or online. 
• freshly squeezed lemon juice

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make this turkey and cheese sandwich

Before you begin, consider making pickled red onions – they spice up this sandwich and are ready to go in about 30 minutes. In a pinch you can chop up red onion and toss them in our spiced blueberry jam vinaigrette when we dress the arugula.

Step 1:  make your pickled red onions, if using.

Step 2: Make a spiced blueberry jam 

I start with homemade blueberry jam, but if you want you can start with store-bought.  Stir a spritz of lemon juice, a sprinkle of store-bought garam masala and generous pinch of salt into 3 or 4 tablespoons into the blueberry jam.

We want to make enough to spread onto the sandwich and an extra tablespoon to use in when we dress the arugula.

Assemble the sandwich

Step 3:  Toast the bread and Melt Cheese

Slice a ciabatta roll in half lengthwise, then rub with olive oil.  Preheat your oven (or toaster oven) to 450 degrees.  Get out a rimmed baking sheet large enough to hold the ciabatta roll halves.  Place roll, cut side up, on the baking sheet.  Now place cheese on the top piece of the roll.  Toast in oven for about 4-6 minutes, until the cheese is melted.   

Tip:  If using a soft cheese like goat cheese or cream cheese skip melting the cheese and just toast the bread.

Step 4:  Dress the arugula

In a bowl, combine the arugula rocket, olive oil, vinegar and 1 tablespoon of the spiced blueberry jam.  Season with salt and pepper. 

If you are not making the pickled red onions, add about 1 teaspoon finely grated red onion to the salad and Toss.  Set aside until we are ready to layer the salad.

Step 5:    layer your sandwich together

Spread a generous layer of the spiced blueberry jam over the cheese. Now, add a generous layer of mayonnaise on the other bottom half of the roll and top with the turkey.

Place a handful of the dressed arugula on top of the turkey.  Garnish with pickled red onion, if using. 

Add the top piece of ciabatta and give the sandwich a firm push-down to seal everything inside.  And that’s it!  You can slice the sandwich or wrap it and keep it in the fridge for a day.   Get ready to enjoy this gourmet turkey sandwich!

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Best turkey sandwich cheese

Wondering which cheese to use with this turkey and spiced blueberry jam sandwich?  My favorite is the Swiss Gruyere cheese for its complex flavors, ranging from fruity and full-bodied to nutty and earthy, with a creamy texture.

With that said, here are a couple of other cheeses you could use in a turkey and cheese sandwich with spiced jam. 

• Swiss Cheese like Emmentaler, Raclette or Appenzeller. Interested in learning more about swiss cheese that aren't your deli swiss slices? Read this great article on 7 Swiss Cheeses you should know.
• Cheddar Gruyere – A unique fusion of Cheddar and Gruyere that is classic, creamy and aged to perfection that I found in my local food cooperative deli. It was perfect.
• Provolone

If you want to skip the melted cheese step of this sandwich, try using a goat cheese, slices of brie or even cream cheese.  They bring a creamy texture and balance the warm spice of the garam marsala in the blueberry jam.

Related

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Pairing

I love making a salad to go serve with this turkey and cheese with arugula rocket and spiced blueberry sandwich: