Hot Browns

A tasty version of the famous Hot Brown sandwich originally created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, by Fred K. Schmidt in 1926.

Recipe Ingredients:

1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups milk, warmed
Pinch of cayenne
1 tablespoon dry sherry
3/4 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
4 slices of homemade-type white bread, toasted lightly
1/2 pound cooked turkey breast, sliced thin
8 thin slices of tomato
8 slices of cooked bacon
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Cooking Directions:

1. In a small saucepan cook the onion in the butter over medium-low heat, until softened, stir in the flour, and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Slowly pour in warmed milk, stirring constantly. Cook until sauce has thickened to desired consistency.
2. Remove saucepan from heat, add the cayenne, sherry and cheddar, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Arrange the toasts in a baking pan and divide the turkey among them. Top each sandwich with 2 tomato slices and 2 slices of the bacon and spoon the sauce evenly over the sandwiches. Sprinkle the sandwiches with the Parmesan.
4. Broil sandwiches under a preheated broiler about 4-inches from the heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the tops are brown and bubbly.

Makes 4 servings.