Hot Browns

In the 1920's, The Brown Hotel drew over 1,200 guests each evening for its dinner dance. In the wee hours of the morning, the guests would grow tired of dancing and retire to the restaurant for a bite to eat. Diners were growing rapidly bored with the traditional ham and eggs, so Chef Fred Schmidt set out to create something new to tempt his guests' palates. His unique creation was an open-faced turkey sandwich with bacon and a delicate Mornay sauce. .. The Hot Brown was born!
~The History of The Brown Hotel's "Hot Brown"

I had never heard of a Hot Brown until recently. In fact, had I only heard of it, I probably never would have thought it was anything good. "Hot Brown?" What an unappetizing name! I saw a show about it on Food Network the other night, and ever since, I've been thinking "I have got to try that!" Well, tonight was the night! Here is my version of the Kentucky Hot Brown:

Ingredients:
3-4 # turkey breast
12 slices Texas toast (prepared as french toast - see below for method)
~
Sauce
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
1/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt and pepper (to taste)
12 slices cooked bacon
15 cherry tomatoes (or tomato slices if fresh good ones are available)
Preparation:
Cook the turkey breast (salt and pepper and cook for apprx 20 minutes / pound at 325 degrees)
Let rest for 15 minutes or so before slices into 1/2" thick slices
~
Melt the butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat
Stir in the flour and whisk for 1 minute
Add the cream and milk
Bring to a boil and whisk constantly until sauce thickens (3-5 minutes)
Remove from heat
Add 3/4 of the cheddar and parmesan cheeses
Add nutmeg
~
In oven safe dishes, layer the ingredients
Bread slices
Turkey slices
Cover with the sauce
Sprinkle remaining cheese on the top
Put a few cherry tomatoes on each plate
Broil until bubbly and slightly browned (2-3 minutes)
Remove from oven, place bacons strips on top


To make the french toast:
Whisk 5 eggs and 1/2 cup milk (salt to taste). Dip the bread into the mixture, coating on each side. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet and broil until golden brown. Flip and broil the other side until golden brown.

Ratings:
*** Very filling.
****This is really good!
****I like Browns!
****Delicious! Who would have thought?

My notes: As with any first time recipe, it was a bit hectic in the preparation. (And the kitchen was a total mess at the end!) Next time, I will make the sauce while the turkey rests, and cook the french toast while I slice the turkey. I did think it was delicious, and will definitely be making it again. Soon!

The Brown Hotel Hot Brown Recipe can be found here

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.
~Erma Bombeck

Good food, good wine, good company. I love Thanksgiving! I have been cooking thanksgiving dinner for 17 years or so, with a few years excepted for various reasons. It is my favorite holiday - it reminds me how much I have to be thankful for :-) Most of the family comes for dinner. Here are some pics:

The Menu:

Turkey
Stuffing
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Cranberry Relish
Sweet Potato Casserole
Green Bean Casserole
Creamed Corn
Dinner Rolls

I stuffed and cooked a 23# bird (Butterball) - it was just enough for our crowd of 13. The stuffing was traditional herb with some chopped onion and celery - prepared with chicken broth and butter.

Mashed potatoes, I boiled apprx 15# of potatoes and mashed them with butter and heavy cream, salt and pepper (yes, if you want the most delicious mashed potatoes, you have to use cream and real butter.)

Mom brought the cranberry relish, made with cranberries, orange, sugar, and a secret ingredient.

Sweet potato casserole - yams mashed with orange juice, brown sugar and walnuts, topped with marshmallows.

Green bean casserole - french style green beans, cream of celery soup, topped with french fried onions.

It was delicious!