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Kentucky Hot Brown

Kentucky Hot Brown

JC Phelps
The Kentucky Hot Brown is a warm, open-faced sandwich layered with roasted turkey, tomato, crispy bacon, and smothered in a rich, cheesy Mornay sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Southern
Cuisine American
Servings 4 sandwiches

Ingredients
  

For the Mornay Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ c. whole milk
  • ¼ c. heavy cream
  • ½ c. grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano cheese
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ¼ tsp. pepper
  • A pinch of nutmeg

For the Sandwiches:

  • 4 slices of thick white bread toasted
  • 16 oz. thinly sliced roasted turkey breast 4 oz. per sandwich
  • 4 slices of ripe tomato
  • 8 slices of crispy cooked bacon 2 slices per sandwich
  • Paprika for garnish
  • Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 2 minutes to form a roux.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk and cream, whisking until the mixture is smooth and begins to thicken, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan/Pecorino Romano cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
  • Set the sauce aside.
  • Preheat your oven’s broiler.
  • Place each toasted slice of bread in an individual, oven-safe dish or on a baking sheet.
  • Top each slice with 4 oz of thinly sliced turkey. Place a slice of tomato on top of each sandwich.
  • Spoon a generous amount of the Mornay sauce over the sandwich.
  • Place the dishes under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly.
  • Remove from the broiler and top each sandwich with 2 slices of crispy bacon.
  • Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and fresh parsley.

Notes

  • Thick-cut white bread works best. You want it sturdy enough to hold all that goodness without gettin’ soggy.
  • Let that Mornay sauce thicken slowly. Stir it like you mean it, and don’t skimp on the cheese.
  • Keep an eye on it under the broiler. Just a couple minutes is all it takes to get that bubbly, golden top.
  • You can prep the sauce and turkey ahead of time. Just assemble and broil when you’re ready to serve.
  • A dash of cayenne or smoked paprika in the sauce gives it a nice little zing.
Keyword kentucky hot brown
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