Hot Browns

Let me just throw out a bunch of betting terms and you can form all the puns and cliches you want after you make this dish:

Trifecta
A Sure Thing
Let It Ride

Next, a big thanks to our good friends Chad and Danielle for hosting a great derby party, from the Mint Julips, to the Shrimp & Grits, and to Dan & Rebecca’s Derby pie and wickedly-potent bourbon balls.

And now onto the Hot Browns, which I put together as an appetizer, though they’ll work for a main course and, I’ll admit– I’ve had them for lunch. And breakfast. Make them; they won’t hang around furlong. Har.

Ketucky Hot Browns

• 1 Baguette (I used a batard from Wegman’s)
• 1/2 Roasted Turkey Breast (again, Wegman’s)
• 1 lb of Bacon (I used peppered, uncured from TJ’s)
• 1/2 cup Jack cheese, grated (plus some for topping)
• 1/2 cup Sharp cheddar, grated (plus some for topping)
• 2 Tbl Butter
• 2 Tbl Flour
• 1 Cup Whole Milk (there’s already bacon & cheese, so you may as well…)
• Salt
• Cayenne or Chipotle Pepper (Chipotle adds a nice smoky flavor)
• Optional: pinch of curry powder. Just a pinch, though!

Aaaand we’re off!

1. Cook the bacon. Whatever method you prefer. Just don’t take it to crispy– it’ll be under a broiler later…
2. After the bacon is cooked, throw it all in a food processor and give a a bunch of pulses to bring it all to a not-so-fine chop. Set it aside.
3. Slice the bread at about 1/2 inch-thick slices. You’ll use about 18 slices– or enough to cover a cookie sheet. Speaking of, you may as well at this point cover a cookie sheet with the slices.
4. Slice up the turkey breast, say about 1/8 inch slices. You’re only going to use one slice of turkey per slice of bread. Aaaand go for it– put a slice of turkey on each slice of bread.
5. Now, onto the heart-stopping sauce. In a saucier, melt the butter, then add the flour. Whisk it up– stirring constantly until smooth and bubbly. Take it off the heat and slowly add the milk while continuing to whisk– watch those lumps! Return to low heat. Keep stirring.
6. While stirring, add cayenne or chipotle pepper– I use about 1/2 tsp, but it depends on your heat tolerance. Add the pinch of curry powder as well.
7. Stir in the cheeses until melted & and the sauce is smooth.
8. Salt to taste.
9. Cover the slices with the sauce.
10. Cover the slices with the chopped bacon.
11. Cover the slices with 1/2 to 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar and jack cheese.
12. Place under a broiler– I keep it on the middle rack. Broil slowy until the bacon crispsa bit and the cheese melts and browns a little– like you would a pizza.
13. Serve hot.

Hot. And Brown