kentucky hot brown

a few weekends ago and in honor of the kentucky derby i decided to try and make a sandwich i have seen around the foodie blogasphere.. the kentucky hot brown.. there is a lovely story about the sandwich that can be found here. i had never had the sandwich before but i figured what the heck and boy was i right to have that attitude.. it was soo delicious!! i really enjoyed it.. now it is a little heavy and i don't recommend it every day... but i think once a year in honor of the kentucky derby would be ok.. *wink*

kentucky hot browns

prep time: 15 minutes
cooking time: 30 minutes
servings: 4

ingredients:

mornay sauce:

2 tblsp. butter
2 tblsp. flour
2 cups 2 % milk
1 cup parmesan
salt and pepper
pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

sandwich:

4 croissants sliced in half, toasted
8 slices of tomato
8 slices of deli turkey
8 slices of deli ham
4 slices of bacon, cooked slightly crisp and cut in half {the easiest and best way to make bacon is like this}

directions:

for the sauce: melt butter in a medium pot over medium heat, once melted add the flour and stir continuously for about 3 minutes.. add milk and whisk until sauce thickens.. another 3-5 minutes.. season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.. whisk again another few minutes.. remove from heat and add cheese and whisk..

assembly of the sandwich:  preheat broiler.. lay your toasted croissant half {the ones i used where square rather then traditional croissant shape} down in a oven proof pan or lined baking sheet.. divide the turkey and ham between the halves.. layer 2 slices of tomato and mornay sauce over the meat.. broil  until sauce is golden brown.. 3-5 minutes.. remove from oven and transfer to a plate and lay the bacon over the top in the traditional X..  {i wanted to add an over easy egg but ended up serving this for lunch rather than breakfast, but i think an egg on this would be amazing!!}