Best Hot Browns With Pimento Cheese Mornay Recipes

KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lay the bacon out on parchment lined, rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle each slice with a thin, even layer of brown sugar. Bake until the bacon is beginning to brown and crisp, but is not completely done, about 8 to 10 minutes. It will continue to cook with the hot browns. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Toast the bread in a toaster, until lightly browned. Cut each piece of toast diagonally into triangles and overlap 3 triangles into each of 4 individual oval-shaped baking dishes. Alternatively, hot browns can be assembled and baked on ovenproof dinner plates.
• Mornay Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and cook until the bubbling begins to diminish, indicating that the water in the butter is evaporating. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to form a roux, cooking and stirring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes, being careful not to let the roux brown. Add the milk all at once, and continue to stir with a wooden spoon or whisk, while bringing mixture to a simmer.
• Continue to cook until smooth and thick, using a whisk to break up any lumps that form. Turn off the heat and add the Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, stirring until melted and combined. The cheese will thicken the sauce, so additional milk may be added, if desired. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Cover the toast in each baking dish with about 1/4 cup of sauce. Then top with a layer of roasted turkey. Cover the turkey with additional sauce and put 2 strips of the bacon on top in a crisscross fashion. Sprinkle each dish with about 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan and bake until bubbly, about 10 minutes.
• While the hot browns are baking, combine all the ingredients for dressed tomatoes in a medium-size bowl and toss to combine.
• During the last 2 to 3 minutes of baking, turn on the broiler to brown the tops of the hot browns. Remove from oven and serve hot, with a small dish of tomatoes on the side or piled atop the hot browns, if desired.
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs cannot make representation as to the results.

KENTUCKY HOT BROWNS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the turkey with 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 degrees F, 45 to 55 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest 15 minutes before chopping; the internal temperature will rise to 165 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 250 degrees F. Coat the tomatoes with the remaining 2 teaspoons vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper. Place the tomatoes cut-side up on a separate parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until they start to dehydrate and wrinkle, about 45 minutes.
• While the tomatoes are cooking, start the Mornay sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the flour and stir continuously so the roux doesn't scorch, about 2 minutes. When the milk starts to simmer, slowly add it to the roux, stirring continuously so lumps don't form. Increase the heat and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the cheddar and roasted peppers and stir until smooth. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the broiler. Distribute the bread cubes evenly among four 6-inch cast-iron gratin pans (or use disposable pie plates or other small pans). Cut the turkey into 1/2-inch pieces; discard the skin and bones. Divide the turkey evenly among the pans. Spoon the Mornay sauce over the turkey, then top with the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the parmesan and bacon and broil until golden and bubbling, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately.