Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
What is a hot brown? On today’s episode, Marc Salmon, with The Brown Hotel, gives us a detailed history of this amazing dish. It is bubbly and delicious! If you are in the Louisville area, you had better make sure that this is on your list. This dish has remained largely unchanged since the 1920s. It is a fantastic opportunity to take a bite of history!
How to Make Your Own Hot Brown
During our chat, Marc mentioned they post the recipe for the hot brown online. If you were wondering what is a hot brown, I’ve posted that recipe below. However, if you want to read more about the history of the hot brown, as well as check out the recipe more in depth, you can find that here.
INGREDIENTS
Makes Two Hot Browns
- 2 oz. Whole Butter
- 2 oz. All Purpose Flour
- 8 oz. Heavy Cream
- 8 oz. Whole Milk
- ½ Cup of Pecorino Romano Cheese
Plus 1 Tablespoon for Garnish - Pinch of Ground Nutmeg
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
- 14 oz. Sliced Roasted Turkey Breast, Slice Thick
- 4 Slices of Texas Toast (Crust Trimmed)
- 4 Slices of Crispy Bacon
- 2 Roma Tomatoes, Sliced in Half
- Paprika
- Parsley
In a two‑quart saucepan, melt butter and slowly whisk in flour until combined and forms a thick paste (roux). Continue to cook roux for two minutes over medium‑low heat, stirring frequently. Whisk heavy cream and whole milk into the roux and cook over medium heat until the cream begins to simmer, about 2‑3 minutes. Remove sauce from heat and slowly whisk in Pecorino Romano cheese until the Mornay sauce is smooth. Add nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste.
For each Hot Brown, place two slices of toast with the crusts cut off in an oven safe dish – one slice is cut in half corner to corner to make two triangles and the other slice is left in a square shape – then cover with 7 ounces of turkey. Take the two halves of Roma tomato and two toast points and set them alongside the base of the turkey and toast. Next, pour one half of the Mornay sauce to completely cover the dish. Sprinkle with additional Pecorino Romano cheese. Place the entire dish in the oven. Suggested bake time is 20 minutes at 350º. When the cheese begins to brown and bubble, remove from oven, cross two pieces of crispy bacon on top, sprinkle with paprika and parsley, and serve immediately.
Where To Find The Brown Hotel
If you are in the Louisville area, you have to stop in to get your very own hot brown. It’s the only way to stop wondering what is a hot brown. It is a Kentucky staple and a must have if you are visiting town. You can find out more about The Brown Hotel at their website. You can also find them on Facebook here.
Subscribe To The Toasty Kettle Podcast Using These Links
If you use another pod catcher and you don’t see it here, let me know and I’ll try to get the show added wherever you like to listen to podcasts. Leave a note in the comments or send a message to toastykettle@gmail.com.
Follow Me On Social Media
Know A Restaurant or Business I Should Interview??
The world is a very big place. If you have a restaurant contributing to food history in some way, I want to know about it. Complete the form here and we will make it happen!