Hot Brown Recipe

Cooked turkey breast: Slices of tender, cooked turkey breast, typically found in the deli section.

Toasted bread: Slices of bread that have been toasted until golden brown.

Butter: Used to create the base of the cheese sauce.

All-purpose flour: Combined with butter to make a roux for thickening the sauce.

Milk: Adds creaminess to the cheese sauce.

Grated parmesan cheese: Provides a sharp, salty flavor to the cheese sauce.

Grated cheddar cheese: Adds a rich, creamy texture to the sauce.

Tomato: Fresh slices to top the sandwich.

Cooked bacon: Crispy slices to add a smoky flavor.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice to the cheese sauce.

When preparing the cheese sauce, ensure you whisk continuously while gradually adding the milk to prevent lumps from forming. This will result in a smooth and creamy consistency. Additionally, for an extra depth of flavor, consider using a combination of sharp cheddar and gruyere cheese instead of just cheddar.

• cooked turkey breast - Substitute with cooked chicken breast: Chicken breast has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative to turkey breast.

• toasted bread - Substitute with toasted brioche: Brioche adds a slightly sweet and buttery flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

• butter - Substitute with margarine: Margarine can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter with a similar fat content.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can thicken sauces similarly to flour and is a gluten-free option.

• milk - Substitute with unsweetened almond milk: Almond milk provides a similar creamy texture and is a good dairy-free alternative.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar salty and tangy flavor profile to Parmesan.

• grated cheddar cheese - Substitute with grated gouda cheese: Gouda has a creamy texture and a mild flavor that works well in place of cheddar.

• tomato - Substitute with roasted red pepper: Roasted red peppers provide a sweet and smoky flavor that can add depth to the dish.

• cooked bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a leaner option with a similar smoky flavor to traditional bacon.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a similar spiciness but a slightly different flavor profile, adding a subtle heat.

• Allow the Hot Brown to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation from forming, which can make the bread soggy.

• For short-term storage, place the Hot Brown in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.

• To freeze, wrap each Hot Brown individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This helps to prevent freezer burn and keeps the flavors intact.

• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. The Hot Brown can be frozen for up to 2 months.

• When ready to enjoy, thaw the Hot Brown in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the turkey is heated through, about 20-25 minutes.

• For best results, avoid microwaving as it can make the bread rubbery and the cheese sauce unevenly heated.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover Hot Brown on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the bread from becoming too crispy.
  4. Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the turkey is heated through.
  5. For a golden finish, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the Hot Brown on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If the cheese sauce isn't fully melted, continue heating in 30-second increments until hot.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Preheat a skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Add a small amount of butter or olive oil to the skillet.
  3. Place the Hot Brown in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the cheese sauce is melted and the turkey is warmed through.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Hot Brown in the air fryer basket.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. For a crispier finish, you can add an extra minute or two.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Hot Brown on the toaster oven tray.
  3. Cover loosely with aluminum foil.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese sauce is bubbly and the turkey is heated through.

• Skillet: Used to melt the butter and cook the flour to create the base of the cheese sauce.

• Whisk: Essential for gradually incorporating the milk into the flour mixture to ensure a smooth sauce.

• Measuring cups: Necessary for accurately measuring the butter, flour, milk, and cheeses.

• Grater: Used to grate the parmesan and cheddar cheese.

• Baking dish: Holds the assembled sandwiches while they bake in the oven.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) to bake the Hot Brown sandwiches.

• Knife: For slicing the tomatoes and potentially the turkey breast if not pre-sliced.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for slicing the tomatoes and turkey.

• Spatula: Useful for spreading the cheese sauce over the sandwiches.

• Tongs: Handy for placing the turkey slices and bacon on the sandwiches.

• Oven mitts: Protect your hands when placing the baking dish in and out of the oven.

• Serving plates: For presenting the finished Hot Brown sandwiches.

Pre-cook the turkey: Use pre-cooked turkey breast to save time on cooking and slicing.

Use pre-toasted bread: Opt for pre-toasted bread to skip the toasting step.

Ready-made cheese sauce: Purchase ready-made cheese sauce to avoid making it from scratch.

Pre-cooked bacon: Use pre-cooked bacon to eliminate the need for frying.

Assemble ahead: Assemble the sandwiches the night before and refrigerate, then bake when ready.