Sunday, November 30, 2014

Turkey, Bacon, and Ranch Panini


I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  Unfortunately, I did not spend Thanksgiving with my family.  Given how expensive it is to fly during the holidays, I had to choose going home either Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Christmas won.


I had a wonderful Thanksgiving anyway.  I went to the Great Smokey National Park and Nashville.  The Great Smokey National Park was beautiful.  It felt and looked like winter, but winter is breathtaking even if it can be a little unpleasant.

We planned on camping, but it was way too cold for that.  When hiked on Thanksgiving evening, it was snowing, and I could see my breath.  I didn't know this, but the Great Smokey Mountain National Park is the highest visited park in the US.


Nashville was fun too.  I think I had really high expectations, which is always dangerous.  We went to the Country Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Oprey.  The Grand Ole Oprey was my favorite thing we did in Nashville.


My greatest achievement this weekend was I didn't buy any candy.  I walked through about ten candy stores.  I smelled, I looked, and I pined; but I never bought.  I was a shining example of self restraint.



The ingredients for this panini were sliced turkey breast, cooked bacon, ranch, tomatoes, spinach, and flat bread.


I spread ranch on both slices of bread.
  

I layered on sliced turkey.


I added crisp bacon.


I added thick slices of salted tomatoes and baby spinach.


I bought this bread at Trader Joe's.  It wasn't amazing, but it was low calorie.  I don't remember the calorie count, but I was impressed.


This was a tasty sandwich.  Avocado and onion would have been great too.  I kind of regret that I didn't add avocado.


The thick slices of tomato and the bacon are the best parts of this sandwich.  This made a quick and filling lunch.