These are great because they’re inherently flexible. Got chicken, not turkey? Great. Got pork? Still fine. Want to add bacon, or take away the apple, or substitute coleslaw? Not a problem. And in times of real craziness, you can absolutely use deli meat — I just caution that it’s better to find one that has no nitrates or preservatives. (Some delis, like the one at Whole Foods, roast their own in-house meats and slice them for you.)
Barbecue Turkey Sandwiches
1 lb. thinly sliced cooked turkey, coarsely chopped
8 slices deli-sliced cheddar, muenster, or pepper jack cheese
1 apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 cup barbecue sauce of your choice (I make my own)
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns or sandwich rolls
Heat the barbecue sauce in a medium saucepan. When warm, add the chopped turkey and toss to coat. Allow the turkey to heat up in the barbecue sauce for 5-7 minutes, until warmed through.
Toast the buns lightly. To assemble the sandwiches, pile 1/4 of the turkey mixture on the bottom of each bun. Top with 1/4 of the apple slices and 2 slices of the cheese (we like these nice and gooey). Pop the sandwiches under a broiler for 2-3 minutes, just until the cheese is melted.