This sandwich has deli roots with an added touch of California. It’s tall and fat, and filled with layers of colorful lettuce, tomato, bacon, and onion. It’s even better when you can find a local bakery that makes fresh marble rye bread with seeds. The homemade Russian dressing adds just the right tangy accent. This was one of the first sandwiches we ever served in the store, and it has become quite popular, to say the least.

Ingredients:

Homemade Russian Dressing
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup or chili sauce
1 tablespoon pickle relish
4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sandwiches
8 slices marble rye bread
6 to 8 tablespoons of homemade Russian dressing (from recipe)
4 to 6 pieces leafy green lettuce
8 slices tomato
4 slices red onion
1 pound roasted turkey breast, sliced thin
8 slices crisp-cooked bacon
16 slices ripe avocado
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

For the homemade Russian dressing: In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Continue whisking until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the sandwiches: Spread the Russian dressing on each slice of bread. On 4 slices of the bread layer the lettuce, tomato, onion, turkey, 2 bacon slices, 4 avocado slices, salt, and pepper. Place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top and secure each sandwich with a toothpick. Slice in half or quarters.

Makes 4 sandwiches.