Smoked Turkey Pesto and Apple Salad Croissants

Cussing Granny had a luncheon today with some old friends. Let's face it, I'm a party girl. I adore making party food. When she asked if I would be willing to make the food I was honored and excited. Smooches! Yesterday we had the full tutorial on how to make homemade croissants. Like a good daughter in law, I put a few aside in the freezer for today's lunch. Popping them in the oven for 10 minutes (400 degrees from frozen) to crisp the outside, it was then time to make the luscious, fabulous, devilish salad of joy. It has it all, smoky, sweet, crispy, salty, soft, and well rounded. Stuff it in a buttery homemade croissant fresh from the oven and you might fall over dead from the sheer culinary pleasure. Confess to you bishop you ate one. Whatever makes you feel better. I washed it down with...chocolate. Yes, it was a perfectly evil lunch.

Tess' Smoked Turkey Pesto and Apple Salad Croissant Sandwiches

2 1/2 cups chopped smoked turkey leg meat
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 T prepared pesto sauce
1 T minced shallots
2T chopped sun dried tomatoes
1/4 cup diced celery
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 crisp apple (I use Johnathan), chopped

Mix it all up. Now here comes the shameless plug for Arizona pecan growers. These came from Auntie Ruth's tree here in the sunny state. I can honestly say, without hesitation, they are the best pecans I have ever wrapped my smacker around.
When my cousin String Cheese came over today for our Wednesday girlie gathering and cooking experimentation, I decided it was time for her to learn how to make buttercups out of carrot wedges. I think they are much cuter than frilly toothpick toppers sticking out of sandwiches. A few of them will also be nestled in our lovely celery frill bunch.