Hot Brown Recipe

Turkey breast: Sliced turkey breast is the main protein in this dish, providing a tender and flavorful base.

Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a savory crunch and a smoky flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Texas toast: Thick slices of bread that serve as the foundation for the sandwich, providing a sturdy base for the toppings.

Mornay sauce: A creamy, cheesy sauce that ties all the flavors together. It's made from a béchamel sauce with added cheese.

Parmesan cheese: Grated Parmesan adds a sharp, salty flavor that enhances the richness of the dish.

Paprika: A pinch of paprika adds a subtle smokiness and a pop of color to the finished dish.

Parsley: Chopped parsley adds a fresh, herbaceous note and a touch of color as a garnish.

When preparing the mornay sauce, ensure you whisk continuously to avoid any lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy texture. For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg to the sauce. When toasting the texas toast, aim for a golden-brown color to provide a crunchy contrast to the creamy sauce and tender turkey breast. To achieve perfectly crispy bacon, cook it in a single layer on a baking sheet in the oven, turning once for even crispiness.

• turkey breast - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast provides a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative.

• bacon - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta offers a similar salty and savory profile, though it is less smoky than bacon.

• texas toast - Substitute with sourdough bread: Sourdough bread has a robust texture and flavor that can hold up well under the toppings and sauce.

• mornay sauce - Substitute with béchamel sauce: Béchamel sauce is the base for mornay sauce and can be enriched with cheese to achieve a similar creamy consistency.

• grated parmesan cheese - Substitute with grated pecorino romano: Pecorino Romano has a similar hard texture and salty flavor, making it a good alternative.

• paprika - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a similar color and a bit more heat, which can enhance the dish.

• chopped parsley - Substitute with chopped cilantro: Cilantro provides a fresh, herbaceous note that can complement the other flavors in the dish.

• Allow the Hot Brown to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation and sogginess.
• Wrap each sandwich individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped Hot Brown sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable freezer bag. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a baking sheet. Heat for 15-20 minutes until warmed through.
• To reheat from frozen, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Unwrap the sandwich and place it on a baking sheet. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning. Heat for 30-35 minutes until hot and bubbly.
• For a quicker reheating option, use a microwave. Place the Hot Brown on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate, and heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking halfway through.
• If reheating in the microwave, crisp up the bacon separately in a skillet or under the broiler for a few minutes to maintain its texture.
• Garnish with fresh parsley and a pinch of paprika after reheating to refresh the flavors and presentation.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover Hot Brown on a baking sheet. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the turkey breast from drying out. Heat for about 15-20 minutes or until the mornay sauce is bubbly and the turkey is warmed through.

• If you prefer using a microwave, place the Hot Brown on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious not to overheat, as this can make the texas toast soggy.

• For a quick stovetop method, use a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Place the Hot Brown in the skillet and cover with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, occasionally checking to ensure the mornay sauce is melting and the turkey breast is heated through.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the Hot Brown in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the texas toast and the bacon while ensuring the mornay sauce is hot and bubbly.

• For a toaster oven, preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place the Hot Brown on the rack or a baking sheet. Heat for 10-15 minutes, checking to make sure the mornay sauce is bubbly and the turkey breast is warmed through.

• Oven: Used to preheat to 400°F (200°C) and bake the sandwiches until bubbly and golden.

• Saucepan: Necessary for preparing the mornay sauce.

• Baking sheet: Used to place the toasted Texas toast slices for baking.

• Toaster: Used to toast the Texas toast slices.

• Skillet: Used to cook the bacon until crispy.

• Spatula: Handy for flipping the bacon and spreading the mornay sauce.

• Grater: Used to grate the parmesan cheese.

• Measuring cups: Essential for measuring out 2 cups of mornay sauce and ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley and a pinch of paprika.

• Chopping board: Used for chopping the parsley.

• Knife: Necessary for chopping the parsley and possibly slicing the turkey breast if not pre-sliced.

• Tongs: Useful for handling the bacon and placing it on the sandwiches.

• Oven mitts: Essential for safely handling the hot baking sheet from the oven.

Pre-cook the bacon: Cook the bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly reheat it when assembling the Hot Brown.

Use pre-sliced turkey: Buy pre-sliced turkey breast from the deli to save time on slicing.

Make mornay sauce in advance: Prepare the mornay sauce a day before and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently before using.

Toast in batches: Toast the Texas toast in batches using a toaster or oven to speed up the process.

Assemble on a baking sheet: Assemble the sandwiches directly on the baking sheet to minimize cleanup.