Kicked-Up Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

Cindy had major back surgery on Friday and her sister Nancy (ex nurse) came up from Florida to tend to her during her early recuperation, so we had dinner ready for them when Nancy got in on Wednesday evening.  We decided on our version of a Kentucky Hot Brown using Chris’ (Nibble Me This) kicked up Mornay Sauce which I doubled to get this one – also added country ham.

Mornay Sauce – Adapted from Nibble Me This

2 Tbsp butter

2 Tbsp shallot, finely diced (we used sweet onion)

2 clove garlic, whole slightly crushed

2 Tbsp all purpose flour

2½ cup half and half

1 cup mozzarella shredded

½ cup pecorino romano (Larry used Parmesan)

1-2 slices country ham, trimmed of fat, small dice, lightly sauteed (Larry addition)

1 tsp kosher salt

½ tsp black pepper

1. Melt butter in a small sauce pan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic and saute until the shallot is tender, about 4 minutes. Whisk in the flour, stirring constantly to form a blond roux.

2. Whisk in about a quarter cup of the half/half and whisk until well blended. Add some more, repeat. Then add the remaining half/half and country ham, bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes.  Remove the garlic cloves and discard. 

3. Whisk in the cheeses in small batches and stir until well blended. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Sauce should be thick.

We used deli turkey, sliced a little under ½“ thick and nuked it to warm prior to assembly and the sandwich began with toasted, biased sliced, French bread.  The bread and turkey were topped with some good sliced tomatoes then seasoned and broiled to get the tomatoes hot.

Then I added some chopped bacon and the Mornay - we used all of it on the five sandwiches – then garnished with paprika and chopped parsley.

Everyone loved them and they were a first for Cindy and Nancy.

As an aside, after they go potty, the pups always come see me for our morning loving - sorry about the quality.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

8/21/19 event date