There are so many incredible flavors going on in this Strawberry, Brie, and Turkey Panini. Fresh slices of French bread are spread with Red Pepper Jelly
which is quite possible my favorite condiment ever. Both spicy and sweet, it really adds some zing to a sandwich.
Next comes some creamy, buttery Brie cheese, topped with fresh strawberry slices, fresh basil, and smoked turkey.
Fresh Ripe Strawberries
Use really fresh, juicy strawberries, the kind you get at a local farm or farmers’ market. When heated in the Panini press, their flavors are really intensified and they almost taste like jam. The juices from the strawberries ooze out onto the warm brie. Fruit and Brie is always a wonderful combination, so you know you’re not going to go wrong with this sandwich.
With the bright red of the strawberries and the vibrant green of the basil, this sandwich is a beauty. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory and will brighten up any spring meal.
Recommended Equipment
Panini Press– this Cuisinart Grill and Panini Press is great for making sandwiches and for cooking chicken breasts.
I don’t share a whole lot of personal stuff on this blog, but I wanted to share an article about my son that was published in our local newspaper. (Note: This post was originally published April 30, 2014. My Son is turning 26 in a few days and doing wonderfully.) He was diagnosed with Stage 3 Testicular Cancer last November. After 3 months of chemo and 2 surgeries (3 if you count the removal of his port), he has just gotten his life back to normal, including playing tennis.
Testicular Cancer is a very treatable cancer, but it is also a very fast growing cancer and it is very important to catch it early. My son’s had spread to his abdomen and lungs. The only symptom he had was a swollen testicle. He didn’t really think much of it and waited a number of weeks to tell us.
Testicular cancer is most common in men who are in their 20s and 30s. After Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer and went so public with it, the percentage of testicular cancer cases caught at an early stage increased. I worry now that he is no longer much of a public figure, awareness for testicular cancer will go down. Testicular cancer is a fairly rare cancer and there aren’t that many cases in teens, but please be sure your teenage sons know the symptoms. I know it was something that totally was not on my radar screen.
More Great Sandwich Recipes
- Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese
- Chicken Florentine Panini
- Classic Tuna Melt
- Greek Grilled Cheese
- Muffaletta Panini
- Fried Green Tomato and Bacon Grilled Cheese
Strawberry, Brie, and Turkey Panini
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) Brie round
- 8 French Bread slices
- 3/4- pound sliced smoked turkey
- 8 large fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- Red Pepper Jelly
- 2 tablespoons butter,, melted
Instructions
- Trim and discard rind from Brie round. Cut Brie into slices, about 1/4-inch.
- Spread 1 side of each piece of bread with a thin layer of red pepper jelly.
- Cover half the pieces with Brie slices, evenly distributing all the Brie among the 4 slices.
- Top Brie with strawberries, basil, and turkey. Place remaining bread slices on top, red pepper jelly side down. Brush outside of bread slices with melted butter.
- Cook, in batches in a heated Panini press until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes. If you don’t have a Panini press, use a grill pan or large skillet and use a spatula to press down on the top of the sandwiches. Flip to cook both sides evenly.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Originally posted April 30, 2014.
Recipe Source: adapted from Southern Living Farmers Market Cookbook: A Fresh Look at Local Flavor Living
More Panini Recipes for those Spring and Summer Days when you just want a quick, easy, and delicious meal:
Chipotle Chicken Panini with Avocado and Bacon
Ham Panini with Blackberry Mustard
Disclosure: Spicy Southern Kitchen is an amazon.com affiliate.
Christin, what wonderful news to learn about your son’s recovery. This is such an inspiring story and I’m so glad that he’s able to get back on the tennis court.
And I love the Panini recipe that you’ve shared. What a perfect way to enjoy those fresh, ripe spring strawberries. And red pepper jelly? What a great addition!
Thank you Jamie! It’s such a joy to be able to see him play again and it has totally changed my perspective on watching him play. The extreme sport parents have always gotten on my nerves, but now especially I realize that win or loose, the real gift is just being able to participate.
The red pepper jeyy goes so well with the brie and strawberries 🙂
Serious chills/teary eyes here Christin. So happy your son is in the clear and fully recovered, I can’t imagine what that time must have been like for you family. You’ve got one strong and inspiring son!
Thank you Nicole! He is amazing and the way he handled the whole thing with so much mental and emotional strength made it so much easier on me.
Oh Christin, thank you so much for giving us an update on your son – I’ve been wondering how his recovery has been going and I am so so happy to hear that he is doing well and even back to playing tennis now:}
I love everything about this panini – the fresh strawberries and basil sound amazing with the smoked turkey, brie and red pepper jelly – it seriously looks out of this world!
Thank you Kelly! You are the sweetest!
Oh yum!! This looks delightful! What a great idea to add strawberries to you sammie!! 🙂
Thanks Cailee! Hope you have a great weekend!
You know what I really love? Spinach salad with strawberries. I remember a time I’d look at that kind of salad and think “ew, fruit on your salad?” I’m so sad for my past self that didn’t know what she was missing. I haven’t thought about putting strawberries on a sandwich! This looks sooo good. Especially that ooey gooey brie. Mmm!
I used to be really turned off at the thought of fruit in a salad too Amanda! Now I’m disappointed if a fruit doesn’t have fruit in it! Funny how your tastes change.
I am so so happy to hear that your son is doing well! And even back to playing tennis : ) That’s such great news!!
And this panini – how did you know I love brie??? haha Seriously, it looks out of control awesome … with that red pepper jelly. Yum!
Thanks Ashley! 🙂
It’s hard not to love Brie! So creamy and buttery!
I am so delighted to hear about your son’s recovery. I know this has been a very stressful time for you mom and a virtual hug coming your way. Thanks for sharing your story so that we can share and maybe help others in catching the symptoms earlier. I have seen these drool worthy sandwich everywhere and can’t wait to give it a try. Take care, BAM
Thank you so much for the virtual hug 🙂
My heart almost burst hearing about your son! I believe you have mentioned his struggle before but I am so overjoyed to hear that he has conquered it! I can’t believe the cancer spread that much in a matter of weeks. That is terrifying. I’ll be sure to forward your post to my little brother who is 24.
But this sandwich! I die! You put all of my favorite things in a sandwich! How did you know?! That melty brie is just too much!
Thank you Lindsey! And it most likely was much longer than a few weeks, but it took a while to get to the point where he noticed. Thank you for helping to spread the word 🙂
Turkey and Brie panini is one of my favorites! Though usually everyone makes it with cranberry sauce, I am sure that with strawberries it tasted amazing!
Drool! I <3 brie cheese!