Turkey Reuben (Rachel)

Guess who got a Griddler for Christmasssssss!!!  If you guessed me, you win :)  Actually, I got a gift card to Bed, Bath, and Beyond from Jones and walked around the store for an hour with Justin trying to decide what to get.  Once I saw the Griddler, it was like it was meant to be. I have heard people (especially Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats, who is a local blogger who does segments on the news as well) rave about their Griddlers, and show so many ways to use them, that I couldn't wait to get home and try it!  It can be used as a full griddle, a full grill, a panini press....the list goes on and on. I think I was most excited about the panini press part.  In case you're interested, you can find a Griddler HERE.

I've been making these turkey reubens, which I'm told are called rachels if they're made with turkey instead of corned beef, since Justin and I started dating and it's still one of his favorite things I make. Whenever I mention these, he's all about it. I don't use 1,000 island dressing in order to lighten it up, and I use hot peppers to give it some kick so I guess it's not a "rueben" or a "rachel" at all...but more like an "abby".  Whatever you call it, they're phenom!

Here's what you need:

wheat bread (I always use Amana stone ground wheat)

Woeber's hot and spicy mustard (this probably makes the sandwich)

sliced black pepper turkey

jalapenos (now I use banana peppers since Justin's old man stomach acts up with jalaps)

fat free mayo

sour kraut

2% pepperjack cheese slices (I use 2 per sandwich) 

Before I had my Griddler I just put the sandwiches in the oven on broil, but be VERY sure to watch it because it will burn lickety split (yes I just used that phrase)...and flip the sandwich when its golden brown, to broil the other side. The inside of the sandwich will still be cold since it doesnt take long to broil (but broiling is key to make the bread crunchy and grilled like)...so I put it in the microwave for 30-45 seconds to melt the cheese completely. Easy as pie!

BUT now that I have a panini press, I just spray the sides of the Griddler with fat free cooking spray, put the sandwiches on there and let them go at it for about 7-10 minutes on medium heat....no need to flip AND you get these sweet grill marks that make it look all fancy.  Jealous??  You should be.  :)

These "abbys" pack about 400 calories but they are chuck full of so much stuffing that we rarely need a side dish. I actually usually make 2 sandwiches and give one half of mine to Justin if we have a side....a half is plenty for me.  And if you don't like super heat, the banana peppers really aren't too hot and don't have any aftermath, even on Justin's tummy....but you could leave those off if you felt the need.