THE DERBY

The Derby image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time 55m

Yield 4 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 11

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8 slices bacon, cut into lardons (strips)
2 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 to 2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup grated gruyere
1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Kosher salt and ground white pepper
Eight 1/4-inch slices sourdough bread, toasted
8 slices beefsteak tomatoes
2 pounds shaved mesquite deli turkey
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

For the bacon: In a large skillet, scatter the lardons and turn on the heat to medium. Cook until crisp. Make sure to reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the skillet. Then drain the crispy lardons on a paper-towel-lined plate.
For the mornay sauce: In the same skillet, add the butter to the bacon fat and set over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk until blonde, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk until combined. Add in the gruyere and nutmeg, and simmer until thick, 5 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and white pepper.
For the sandwich build: On 4 of the slices of toast, layer 2 tomato slices, top with a quarter of the turkey and then the second slice of bread. Ladle lots of mornay sauce over top. Top with a nice pile of bacon and fresh parsley.