Hot Brown--It's a Kentucky thing.

In honor of Derby I decided to make Hot Browns. Think of a warm open-faced turkey and bacon sandwich smothered in a cheese gravy and topped with a tomato. It is legended to have started at the Brown Hotel. It's not very good at the Brown Hotel. I think the Hot Brown at Lynn's Paradise Cafe (when it is on the menu--The Bourbon Ball Milkshake is stupid good too!) is better. I think the cheese sauce is better at Lynn's. But This is the recipe from The Courier-Journal. It's ok, but not super. I added cheddar cheese to the sauce to make it cheesier.

Gather together

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
3 to 3 1/2 cups milk
1 beaten egg
6 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
2 cups sharp cheddar cheese- shreaded
2 tablespoons whipped cream
Salt and pepper to taste
Slices of roast turkey
8 to 12 slices toast (trimmed of crusts--I used Texas toast, but feel free to use french bread)
8 to 12 slices cooked bacon

Melt butter and add flour, stirring with a whisk or spoon to make a thick roux.

Add milk gradually and whisk to blend completely before adding more. As the sauce thins you can add milk more quickly. Bring to a boil. Beat a little of the hot mixture with the egg. Remove sauce from heat and beat in the egg mixture. Add (in small batches) cheese and stir. Fold in whipped cream. Season to taste. For each Hot Brown, place 2 slices of toast on a flameproof dish. Cover with a liberal amount of turkey. Pour a generous amount of sauce over the turkey and broil about 6 inches from the heat until the cheese sauce begins to bubble. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.

Place dish under broiler until sauce is speckled brown and bubbly. Remove from broiler and top with a 2 pieces of bacon. Garnish with tomato slices, if desired. Serves 4 to 6.

This is goooood! And way easier than it sounds to make. It only took me about 15 minutes. I cooked the bacon in the microwave while I made the sauce. Then the broiling only take a few minutes. It this quick and easy. Give it a try.