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Kentucky hot brown
Open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich under cheese sauce
The hot brown was invented in 1926 at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky, as a late-night dish for dancers, and it is still ordered there and all over the city on Derby weekend. Thick slices of roast turkey on toast are covered in a rich Mornay sauce and grilled until bubbling, then topped with tomato and crisp smoked bacon (pork). Eat it with a knife and fork. Chef's tip: use leftover roast turkey breast carved thickly; thin deli slices dry out under the grill.
- Total time
- 35 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
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Fresh ingredients (6)
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Grill or fry the 8 rashers smoked streaky bacon until crisp and cooked through. Drain.
8 minStep 2: Melt the 1 ⅜ oz butter, stir in the 1 ¼ oz plain flour for 1 minute, then whisk in the 1 ¾ cups whole milk and ½ cup double cream and simmer for 4 minutes, whisking, until thick.
6 minStep 3: Off the heat, stir in two-thirds of the 1 ⅜ oz pecorino or parmesan, the 1 pinch grated nutmeg, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper.
1 minStep 4: Heat the grill to high. Put each slice of 4 slices thick white bread in a shallow ovenproof dish, top with the 16 oz cooked roast turkey breast and pour over the sauce to cover. Sprinkle with the rest of the ⅔ oz pecorino or parmesan.
4 minStep 5: Grill for 4–5 minutes until bubbling and spotted brown and the turkey is piping hot (165°F) underneath. A common mistake is putting it too close to the grill, which burns the top before it heats through.
5 minStep 6: Top with the 2 tomatoes and two crossed rashers of bacon, then dust with 1 pinch paprika and 1 tbsp fresh parsley.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 640 kcal
- Protein
- 40 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 40 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kentucky hot brown take?
- About 35 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
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