Toasty Turkey, Pesto, Provolone & Avocado Sandwich

Toasty Turkey, Pesto, Provolone & Avocado Sandwich

Writing a recipe for a sandwich seems a little weird to me because sandwiches seem so basic, so simple. This is a special sandwich, though, and I don't make it very often. I think that's because I'm the only person in my family who really enjoys it. Even my eating buddy, Ezra, wants his made differently. Even though there are tons of toasted sandwiches and paninis out there, I actually got the idea for this one from my friend Krisin, of potato pancake fame. When we visited her and her family a couple of years ago, she made me this fantastic panini. All I recall is the turkey, provolone and avocado. Not sure if she put pesto on it too. At any rate, it was de-lish, and I've been making them at home for myself ever since. Well, I don't make them as often as I'd like, but they do get made and eaten on occasion.
Kristin has an actual panini maker. I probably saw someone use a cast iron skillet on TV or something, though, and since that's what I have, that's what I use.
This sandwich is so yummy: crispy and crunchy on the outside, soft, creamy, salty, and pesto-y in the middle. All of the flavors work together to make my mouth and my tummy happy. I really need to treat myself more often.

Toasty Turkey, Pesto, Provolone & Avocado Sandwich

Ingredients

• 6-inch segment of a grocery store French bread loaf
• 2 teaspoons basil pesto
• 3 ounces (or so) sliced deli turkey
• 1 slice provolone cheese
• 1/4 avocado, sliced thin

Instructions
Preheat a cast iron skillet over medium to medium-low heat.
Cut bread horizontally and spread 1 teaspoon of pesto onto each side. 
Arrange turkey and then sliced avocado on one side. Place cheese on other side, and close.
Place on preheated skillet and press with a spatula. Cover with a large domed lid to accelerate melting of the cheese. After a couple of minutes, check for browning. When bottom is browned, turn sandwich with a spatula, press down with spatula and cover again. (Be sure not to go to the computer to start blogging about the sandwich in the pan, or it's likely to burn.) After a couple of minutes, check to see if that side is browned. 
If the sandwich is browned, but the cheese is still not melted, remove the pan from the heat and let it sit covered for another 2-3 minutes.
Slice sandwich in half, and enjoy.
Makes 1 sandwich.