Kentucky Hot Brown

Ingredients

  • - FOR THE TURKEY -
  • 1 turkey breast, about 4 to 5 pounds
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted soft butter
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • - FOR THE SAUCE -
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups grated sharp white Cheddar
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • - FOR THE EGG BREAD -
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • Salt
  • 8 (1/2-inch) thick slices good day old white bread (recommended: Pullman or Pain de mie)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • - FOR ASSEMBLY -
  • Egg battered bread
  • Roasted turkey breast, sliced into 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 3 ripe beefsteak tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices and griddled until slightly charred and just cooked through
  • 1 1/2 cups grated sharp white Cheddar
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 16 thick slices slab bacon, cooked until crisp
  • Finely chopped fresh chives
  • Finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Step 2: Rub entire breast with butter and season with salt and pepper.  Place in a small roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes.  Reduce the heat to 350 degrees F and continue roasting until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center registers 155 degrees F, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  Remove from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before slicing.

Step 3: Melt butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan.  Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.  Whisk in the milk, bring to a boil and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and the flour has cooked out, about 4 to 5 minutes.  Whisk in cheese and cook until the cheese has melted. Season with nutmeg and salt and pepper, to taste.

Step 4: Whisk together the eggs, milk and salt in a medium bowl.  Dip each slice of bread in the mixture and let sit about 30 seconds, or until completely soaked through.

Step 5: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat.  Cook 4 slices of the bread at a time until golden brown on both sides.  Remove and place on a baking sheet.  Repeat with the remaining bread.

For Assembly:

Step 6: Preheat the broiler.  Place the egg bread on a baking sheet, place under the broiler and heat on both sides for 20 seconds just to warm through.

Step 7: Top each slice of bread with 2 to 3 slices of turkey and 2 slices of tomato, ladle sauce over the top and divide the Cheddar cheese and Parmesan over the top of each slice.  Place under the broiler and cook until bubbly and the top is golden brown.  Remove from the oven, top each slice with 2 slices of bacon and sprinkle each slice with chives and parsley.

Via Food Network