Sandwich of the Month - Turkey with cranberry sauce and "cream cheese"

There’s this little bakery that’s a few miles from where I grew up that makes the most unbelievable sandwiches. It’s called A Sweet Affair. These sandwiches first made an impression on me in that moment of youth when I was just starting to hold on to permanent memories. So looking back I’m thinking, was that a dream? Did I invent the sweet, tempting aroma and giant loaves of oversize sandwich bread? But three years ago I moved back to my hometown and no, it turns out these lofty creations with inch and a half thick fresh baked breads are real and still available to me any time my car steers it’s way over there. Number of drive-bys so far: 3. Times I actually got out of the car to go in: 0. I was in the neighborhood, okay! Geez. 

I did however go way out of my way to re-create the nostalgia that comes from one recipe of their’s that I will never forget. This is the thanksgiving leftover sandwich, or whatever day of the year sandwich. The last time I went to Disneyland with my brother and sister in law (which is usually a multiple times per year occurrence, they live in Pasadena) I decided to pack a lunch. Now a bag lunch at a place like Disneyland is kinda like a punishment. When every darn kid and their mother is walking around with a churro, the last thing anyone really wants is a bag lunch. Remember those kids who’s mom always brought food to the state fair or whatever? Nobody wants to be that kid, even when you grow up and realize that those parents were really the ones with the most sense, budget savvy, and kids’ best interest in mind.

So making this lunch exciting for everyone is pretty much my number one priority at this point, since I’m not going to bring food just for me and I’m certainly not going to doll out health food like a death sentence to Mickey Mouse at lunch time. And I thought hey, my brother’s nostalgia for A Sweet Affair sandwiches is equal to mine! So I got to recreating, remixing, and swapping ingredients until I had a delicious creation with minimal calorie damage. Churros and burgers were on no one’s mind as our bag lunch was ripped open with glee.

Here it is!

Turkey and Cranberry Affair

2 slices reduced calorie whole wheat bread (ex: Sara Lee Delightful or Oroweat Light)

2 Tbsp. canned cranberry sauce

1 wedge Laughing Cow light swiss cheese

4 oz. cooked and sliced turkey breast or chicken breast

3/4 cup sprouts

3 large lettuce leaves

Calories: 360

Fat: 7 g

Total Carbs: 30 g

Fiber: 7 g

Protein: 43 g