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Creamy Kentucky Hot Brown Recipe Easy Open-Face Sandwich to Impress

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A creamy Kentucky Hot Brown open-face sandwich featuring toasted bread topped with turkey, crispy bacon, and a luscious Mornay cheese sauce, perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests.

Ingredients

  • Thick-sliced white bread (Texas toast works great for sturdiness)
  • Roast turkey breast slices (6–8 ounces or 170–225 grams per sandwich)
  • Crispy cooked bacon strips (2 per sandwich)
  • Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons)
  • All-purpose flour (3 tablespoons)
  • Whole milk (2 cups or 475 ml), warmed
  • Sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (1 cup or 100 grams)
  • Gruyère cheese, shredded (½ cup or 50 grams)
  • Salt and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
  • Freshly grated nutmeg (a pinch, optional)
  • Fresh tomato slices (optional)
  • Chopped fresh parsley or chives for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat.
  2. Whisk in 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
  3. Gradually add 2 cups warmed whole milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Stir until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup sharp white cheddar cheese and ½ cup shredded Gruyère cheese until melted and smooth.
  5. Season with salt, freshly ground white pepper, and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Toast 4 slices of thick white bread until golden brown.
  7. Cook 8 strips of bacon until crispy and drain on paper towels.
  8. Preheat broiler to high. Place toasted bread slices on a baking sheet.
  9. Layer each slice with about 2 ounces (55 grams) of sliced turkey breast, then drizzle generously with the creamy cheese sauce.
  10. Top each sandwich with 2 crispy bacon strips and, if using, a slice of fresh tomato.
  11. Broil sandwiches for 2 to 4 minutes until cheese sauce bubbles and develops a light golden crust. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  12. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or chives and serve immediately while warm.

Notes

If sauce gets too thick before assembling, whisk in a little extra warmed milk to keep it creamy and pourable. Toast bread well to prevent sogginess. Watch broiler closely to avoid burning. Leftover turkey works well. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread and substitute flour with gluten-free blend or cornstarch. Vegetarian version can use grilled mushrooms and vegetarian cheese sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: Kentucky Hot Brown, open-face sandwich, creamy Mornay sauce, turkey sandwich, bacon, Southern recipe, easy dinner, comfort food

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/creamy-kentucky-hot-brown-recipe-easy-open-face-sandwich-to-impress/