Leftover turkey panini sandwiches -- in the waffle iron!

I haven't blogged nearly as much as I wanted to this month.  But it was December so I guess that's all I need to say.  I'm actually too busy to be on here tonight but in the midst of cleaning out the refrigerator (aka munching on all the leftovers that won't keep), washing the dishes from said clean-out and packing to go to my niece's wedding, I had to pop in here to share this idea that you just might need this week!

I was asking Jack what he wanted to go with his leftover split pea and barley soup (an excellent recipe that I'll share another time) for lunch today and he said a turkey sandwich -- and could I make it in the waffle iron?  Well, I took this as a huge vote of confidence for my recent fascination with paninis made in the waffle iron and went on to create a new crazy sandwich!

I have been making marmalade - a lot of marmalade - recently to give as gifts and we still have quite a bit in the refrigerator so I decided to combine some with Dijon mustard and mix in diced leftover turkey (could also use deli turkey or even ham).  I grated some cheddar and some Gruyere (turkey and Swiss is a classic combo, right?) and buttered one side of the bread.  I put a little cheddar on the unbuttered side of one slice of bread, added a layer of the turkey/marmalade/Dijon mixture, sprinkled on some Gruyere, added the other slice of bread, buttered side out and stuck it in the pre-heated waffle iron.  I held it closed for about 30 seconds to smush the bread well, then cooked for another minute and a half.  Voila!  It was fabulous!

So go forth and create!  Use those leftovers in creative ways -- maybe even in the waffle iron!