This year’s Thanksgiving dinner table conversation could turn from a mild meet-up to a combative melee depending on one’s beliefs. Why? Here’s one reason why.
Thanks for the stimulating conversation but I’ll be staying far from the fracas.
Thanksgiving brings out opinions aplenty in areas other than current events or whether the Redskins or Cowboys will take the turkey honors. Some of the strongest are tied to food and the stalwart stands we each take when it comes to defending our turkey day dinners.
I suppose we all take it so seriously because it’s a hallmark dinner, a noble meal where tradition rules and YOU like best eating what YOU grew up with: what grandma made resulting in what mom made because grandma did and now you make because it’s in your genes and you do what mom says.
So what about those perennial stand-offs for the lovers and the haters? Which camp do you fall into?
- Light meat or dark? (light, please although I’ve become a bit of a dark meat novice in the past few years)
- Stuffing: In the bird or cooked separately? (in the bird, mushy!) Savory or sweet? (I’m a stuffing purist, don’t be messing with my stuffing by adding dried apricots to my perfect, moist, sage-ified bread chunks)
- Sweet potatoes with or without marshmallows? Or just plain gross? (spiced up with chipotle puhhhhllleeez)
- Gravy with or without giblets? (wihout, thank you very much)
- Homemade rolls (I am coveting this recipe) or storebought? (homemade by someone other than me)
- Pumpkin or pecan? (I’ll take both)
The one item that is the simplest on the table—besides the butter that’s not so simple after being molded into a turkey— the one item that has no business outshining the turkey or mixing in with the mashed potatoes, is also the one that places a cavernous divide as unwavering within family lore as the line that divided the back seat between siblings on family vacations.
Cranberry sauce.
I’m with Jessica on this one (see #4) and am happy to go with the canned—full berry please, not the gelatinous jelly version—although I certainly enjoy the homemade recipe and covet it when it’s in my oh so happy if that happens midst.
But sometimes it’s all about convenience. And time. And cravings.
Want to know an easy way to spruce up the canned variety? With a few zests of orange added to the mix, canned takes on a whole new flavor-flav level. Like good!
So what to do with the extra cranberry sauce once the day is done? I specifically buy an extra can just for sandwiches. And just like my Turkey and White Cheddar with Caramelized Onion and Grape Grilled Cheese, this sandwich has moved into my favorite turkey creation rotation.
You won’t find any more arguments here.
Turkey Cranberry and Grilled Brie Cheese Sandwich
PrintIngredients
- 4 slices cranberry walnut bread
- 6 slices brie rind removed
- 4 slices turkey breast about 6 ounces
- ¼ cup cranberry sauce
- ½ avocado
- 2-3 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Heat a skillet on medium. Butter one side of each piece of bread. On unbuttered side of 2 slices of bread layer half of brie, half of cranberry sauce, 2 slices of turkey and a few avocado slices. Place slice of bread on top, buttered side up, cover with a lid and grill in skillet until bread becomes golden. Flip sandwich once, cover again with lid and cook until cheese melts and bottom piece of bread becomes golden. Cut in half and serve hot.
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Nan
Did you make your cranberry walnut bread or buy it?
Ronyjahid
I love brie so so much, my favorite cheese. It goes along with so much, and just melts in your mouth. Just bought some cheese and bread, definitely going to try this tomorrow!
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This is a really good collection, a great resource for inspiration. Several are wonderful.
Carolyn Nordell
Where do you get the cranberry walnut bread?
Betsy
I just bought some from Publix Bakery section and was looking for some fillers.
Gwen @ButtercupsBabies.com
I spotted this recipe day before Thanksgiving and have been obsessing about it since. Luckily my mother-in-law had leftover brie, so all ingredients on hand. It is on our panini grill now. So excited for my leftovers! ;)
Amy Shick
Oh man this recipe is getting me so excited for fall food!! That sandwich looks amazing!!
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Wow..!! All dishes are looking so delicious. Thanks for sharing ideas for cranberry cup cakes. Keep updating with new ideas.
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John Proestakes
Your photos are unbelievable… making me so hungry right now.
Cara
That sandwich is the #1 reason I wish we didn’t travel for Thanksgiving. I miss having leftovers!
Elizabeth Pruyn
Thanks for some yummy new cranberry ideas. One of our favorites is to take 1 cup cranberries and 2 cups maple syrup and gently boil them together until the cranberries burst and color the syrup. It’s lovely on pumpkin & cornmeal pancakes/waffles on Christmas morning.
Martyna@WholesomeCook
Loved this list and learning about all of the different twists and traditions of this uniquely American holiday which has made this sandwich famous world over. Great post!
Maria
Love the sandwich…well, as long as you take off the turkey:) Happy Thanksgiving my friend!
Annalise
That sandwich has my name written all over it. Cranberry sauce is probably my favorite condiment, well that or fry sauce. Thanks also for the link!
Elizabeth @Mango_Queen
That turkey-cranberry-brie grilled cheese sandwich? It just killed. Omg, it is unbelievable. I must make this. Can’t wait for the day after when I can indulge on the leftovers! Thanks for sharing & Happy Thanksgiving! I love your site :-)
Cassie | Bake Your Day
This is beyond gorgeous, Heidi! I love this post. Definitely white meat, sweet potatoes with no marshmallows, savory stuffing outside of the bird (I like the crispy edges), gravy without giblets, pecan pie and pumpkin cheesecake, and definitely homemade rolls! Happy Thanksgiving!
Karista @Karista's Kitchen
These all look so divine Heidi. Sadly, I’m allergic to the beautifully tart cranberry. :( Although I still cook with them, just don’t eat much of them. Or I’ll end up looking as red as the cranberry! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beautiful family.
Art & Lemons
Grilled Cranberry Brie Sandwiches (spiked with a bit of chiles) are my all time favorite post Thanksgiving leftover feast! Love the avocado addition in yours. Happy Thanksgiving!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Love that sandwich! Yes to grilled brie!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom
OMG, that grilled brie and turkey sandwich looks DELICIOUS!!! I can’t wait for Thanksgiving so I can have leftover turkey and make myself one!!! LOVE!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I love cranberry sauce ( homemade of course ) but the leftovers are even better! Your grilled cheese looks out-of-this-world!!
JulieD
Love your grilled cheese OMG, it’s beautiful!! And all of these cranberry recipes look amazing!!
Kathryn
I so love reading about all your thanksgiving food traditions – it’s making me so excited for Christmas!
Courtney
BEST blog post on my Reader this week! I LOOOOOOOVE cranberries. Couldn’t pin this fast enough!
Happy Thanksgiving~
Averie @ Averie Cooks
I made cranberries today! But the post isn’t up yet. I made Cranberry Bliss Bars a few weeks ago and have been so into cranberries with my holiday baking already this year – great post!