Feeling Lucky in Kentucky

Traveling across the county via our Staycation gives us lots of opportunities to learn about new places.  Kentucky is certainly an interesting one.  As one of the state slogan's suggests,  Kentucky:  millions of people but only 15 last names!  Only a girl from south Georgia can find the underlying humor in that.  Seriously, Kentucky is widely known as the Bluegrass State, home to a strong tradition of college basketball and the Harlan Coal Mines.

I would be remised if I did not mention the biggest attraction in the state:  The Kentucky Derby.  While I have ALWAYS wanted to play dress up and don a SUPERCALAFRAGALESTIC hat, I'm not so sure about the rules that go along with horseracing.  The one thing that gets my attention is the menu!  Pretty sandwiches, drinks in silver cups, chocolate chip pie, oh my!  The one food that stands out is the Kentucky Hot Brown.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I do not do well with  any mixture of my foods.  Honestly...I don't even like them to touch!  Surprisingly, today's sandwich intrigues me.  A little crunchy, a little creamy, and bacon - what could go wrong?

Kentucky Hot Brown:

4 slices of bread - toasted
sliced turkey - we are using deli sliced since it's already in the fridge
1 tomato
8 slices of bacon
1/4 cup butter
1 egg - beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
5 tablespoons Parmesan cheese - divided
1 tablespoon heavy cream

Before getting started making the sauce.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil.  Put a cooling rack on top and lay out the bacon. 

Bake for 20 minutes. 

 

 Place on paper towels to drain grease.

Next, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

Stir in flour with a whisk or fork, and continue to cook and stir until it begins to brown slightly.

 

Gradually whisk in the milk so that no lumps form,

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.  Mix in 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese,

Stir in the beaten egg to thicken. Do not allow the sauce to boil once the egg has been mixed in.

 

Remove from the heat and stir in the cream.

Next, preheat the oven's broiler.

Toast four slices of bread.

For each hot brown, place a slice of toast (without the crust) into the bottom of an individual sized casserole dish. I decided I only wanted one so we are down to three Hot Browns.

Cover with a liberal amount of roasted turkey,

Add tomato slices.

Places dishes on a baking sheet. 

 

 Spoon sauce over the top of each one and add remaining Parmesan cheese.

 

Place the dishes under the broiler and cook until the top is speckled brown, about 5 minutes.

 

Remove from the broiler,

 

Arrange two slices of bacon in a cross shape on top of each sandwich.

Serve immediately

It's not the Kentucky Derby but it sure is delicious!