Turkey, Swiss and Tomato Panini! With Smart and Final #CompareandSwap

I have been dying to try a Panini at home!!  When I was asked to do a comparison of yummy First Street Whole Wheat Bread and First Street Oven Roasted Turkey I thought here is my chance!! #CompareandSwap Yay!!

I love shopping at my favorite Smart and Final!

You can see my shopping trip on my G+ Profile!!

Here are the contenders!  On the left Orowheat and Land-O-Lakes to the right our First Street products!  I love the First Street logo simple and clean.

Here they are out of the wrappers.  Not much different to the eye.  Both breads look the same, but there is a remarkable difference in how the meat looks.  The First Street brand looks like sliced turkey the other brand looked formed and pressed.  The flavor of the First Street brand turkey was fresh and flavorful!

Now on to the Panini!  I searched the internet for an “easy” recipe!!  I found quite a few!!  But I decided to create my own recipe based on my family’s tastes!  I came up with Turkey, Swiss & Tomato Panini With Garlic Parmesan Aioli 

Here is the recipe!!  It is easy and quick!  Mr. Pink Cake Plate loved this sandwich!!

Turkey, Swiss& Tomato Panini 

With Garlic Parmesan Aioli 

2 Servings
Garlic Parmesan Aioli
3 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
1 t garlic crushed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper to taste

Sandwich
4 slices whole-wheat bread
2 slices Swiss cheese
6 ounces thinly sliced reduced-sodium deli turkey
8 tomato slices
2 teaspoons canola oil

 

Recipe Directions

1. Have four 15-ounce cans and a medium skillet (not non stick) ready by the stove.
2. Combine mayonnaise, garlic, Parmesan, lemon juice and pepper in a small bowl. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the mixture on each slice of bread. Divide turkey and tomato slices among 2 slices of bread; top with the remaining bread.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a non stick skillet over medium heat. Place 1 Panini in the pan. Place the medium skillet on top of the Panini, and then weigh it down with the cans. Cook the Panini until golden on one side, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, flip the Panini, replace the top skillet and cans, and cook until the second side is golden, 1 to 3 minutes more. Repeat with another 1 teaspoon oil and the remaining Panini.

Here are a few pictures of the home-made Panini press I used!  In stead of  the four cans I used the insert to my small slow cooker and put a 24 oz can in it.  Be creative with this you can even use a brick wrapped in foil for the top of the press!

Can you see the sandwich smooshed in there!!LOL!

The First Street Whole Wheat bread stood up to the press and was not completely flattened!  I liked this a lot!!  The other bread was pretty flat!!  Both breads crisped up nicely and had beautiful brown toasting!  The First Street Bread was delicious and had bits of wheat kernels in it which the other brand did not!!

I have to say the cost of the First Street products was close to half the price of the competitors products.  I am all about saving money!!  I love Smart and Final!  They have great products and great prices!!

Be sure to follow Smart and Final on Twitter.   And check out their Facebook Page!

Have you wanted to make a Panini??  It is way easier than I thought it would be!!  I would love to hear about your Panini experience and would LOVE your recipes!!!

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias.  All statements and opinions are my own. #CBias