A Super Bowl Roasted Turkey, Avocado, Bacon, Onion Relish and Spicy Aioli Sandwich

Last week I made this sandwich for DH.  He periodically works from home and becomes my guinea pig at lunch time. I’ve been wanting to create a easy sandwich for Super Bowl weekend and this turkey sandwich idea seemed like a home run. I went to work  believing turkey + bacon + sweet caramelized onions balanced with a spicy kick aioli  in between toasted bread, would be received enthusiastically.

Well, it got the rating of a 7.

A seven.

To me that is a no-repeat-ho-hum meal.  The review was “there really isn’t a lot you can do to make a turkey sandwich stand out”. He was misting on my culinary parade.

Then my friend got involved. She sampled the sandwich and gave it a resounding 9+. Now I was second guessing myself. Was she simply showing good manners and making me feel appreciated with an inflated rating of a so-so sammy? Or was the sandwich actually top notch ?

I was consternated. Decision time. Should I share it or go back to the drawing board?

I have chosen to share. In hopes you will try it and let me know what you think. Many of you have encouraged me to do this, feeling DH is kind of spoiled. {no comment on THAT one} Please give it a test run before super bowl. I would be sad if you pulled this out for a party and your guests sided with DH.

So here we go. Grab your Maui sweet onions and let’s being slicing them thin.

Throw those onions into a pot and cover them with just enough water to drown them.

Turn on your high heat and bring them to a boil. As soon as they boil,

drain them and put them right back in you hot pan.

Next add your brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and red wine vinegar. Stir it all together. Place over medium heat and bring to  simmer.

Once they begin to simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onions are completely tender and have no bite left, about one hour. (The liquid should be syrupy and coat the onions.)

While the onions are doing their thing. Let’s make that aioli. Add your 1/2 cup Mayo, 4 Tbls. Dijon Mustard, 1 tsp. minced garlic, 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, 1/8 tsp. pepper.

Stir until combined.  Sample it.  If you like it hotter, by all means add a touch more cayenne. It should be spicy. (If you were making these for Super Bowl, the Aioli and Relish could be made a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator)

Now for the bacon. This is a huge time/mess saver. At Costco they sell pre-cooked back by Hormel which is terrific. Any time you want bacon all you need to do is heat  up a few pieces in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Instantly you’ll have crispy delicious bacon.

Next peel and slice your avocado. Now assemble your ingredients.

Toast your bread.

Then add your spicy Aioli.

Bacon next.

Relish

 4oz of turkey per sandwich.

Add your avocado.

Then add your lid and serve. I hope you like it. Makes four sandwiches, with left over relish.

For onion relish

• 2 yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

For aioli

• 1/2 cup Mayo (Best Foods, not Miracle Whip)
• 4 Tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

 For sandwiches

• 1 pound roasted turkey breast, sliced 
• 4 ciabatta rolls
• 12 slices bacon
• 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced

Make onion relish:
In heavy medium pot, combine onions and enough water to cover and bring to boil, then strain. Return onions to pot and add sugar, red wine vinegar, and balsamic vinegar. Place over moderate heat and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to low, and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onions are completely tender and have no bite left, about one hour. (The liquid should be syrupy and coat the onions.) Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Make aioli: 
Combine all the ingredients a stir. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Assemble sandwiches:
Toast each slice of ciabatta. Spread aioli evenly across each slice. Place bacon on the bottom then add your onion relish. Add 4 ounces turkey. Divide the  avocado slices between sandwiches, close each sandwiches and serve.

A little nervous about this one,