LOUISVILLE HOT BROWNS

Louisville Hot Browns image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 18m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

8 strips bacon
1 stick unsalted butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk
6 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese, plus more for sprinkling
1 large egg, beaten
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
8 slices thick white sandwich bread, toasted, crusts removed
1 pound leftover roast turkey, sliced
1 ripe tomato, sliced
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Steps:

Preheat the broiler. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, then drain on paper towels.
Meanwhile, make the cheese sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to make a thick roux. Add the milk and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the parmesan, reduce the heat to low and whisk in the egg until the sauce is thick (do not boil). Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.
For each Hot Brown, place 2 bread slices side by side in a small flameproof baking dish. Cover the bread with about 1/4 pound turkey and place 1 or 2 tomato slices alongside. Pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup cheese sauce over the turkey and bread. Sprinkle with more parmesan and broil until the sauce is bubbly and speckled brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the broiler, cross 2 strips of bacon on top and sprinkle with parsley and more parmesan. Serve immediately.
Photo by John Nation