The Kentucky sandwich. Built on a base of savory French toast, this open-faced sandwich needs no doubling up. Thick slices of turkey breast and juicy tomatoes are topped with a decadent cheese sauce, broiled until bubbly and golden brown, then crowned with crisp slices of bacon. It’s no surprise that this dish, named for its birthplace at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, has become Kentucky Derby lore.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4 or 8

　　

Roast Turkey and Sauce

1 boneless turkey breast, about 3 pounds

　　6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened

　　Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　2 cups whole milk, plus more if needed

　　2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

　　1/2 pound sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (2 cups)

　　1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

　　Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

　　

Sandwiches

4 large eggs

　　1 1/2 cups whole milk, or more if needed

　　Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　8 (1/2-inch-thick) slices day-old Pullman or other good-quality white sandwich bread

　　4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter

　　6 tablespoons canola oil

　　3 ripe beefsteak tomatoes, sliced 1/2 inch thick

　　6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (1 1/2 cups)

　　1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

　　16 (1/4-inch-thick) slices bacon, cooked until crisp (see page 49)

　　Fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish

　　

Step 1

To roast the turkey, preheat the oven to 425°F.

　　

Step 2

Rub the entire breast with 4 tablespoons butter and season with salt and pepper. Place in a small roasting pan and roast for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350°F and continue roasting the turkey until a thermometer inserted into the center registers 155°F, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven, tent loosely with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

　　

Step 3

To make the sauce, put the milk in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over low heat. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the hot milk. Bring to a boil and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and the raw flour taste has cooked out, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in more milk if the sauce is too thick to pour.

　　

Step 4

Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheddar and Parmesan cheeses, whisking until the cheddar has melted. Season with the nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.

　　

Step 5

To make the sandwiches, whisk together the eggs and milk in a medium baking dish. Season with salt and pepper. Dip each slice of bread in the mixture and let sit until completely soaked through, about 10 seconds per side.

　　

Step 6

Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, cook 2 slices of the bread at a time until golden brown on both sides, about 2 minutes per side. Repeat with the remaining butter, 3 tablespoons oil, and bread.

　　

Step 7

Preheat the broiler.

　　

Step 8

Put the tomatoes on a rimmed baking sheet, brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and season with salt and pepper. Broil until slightly charred and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes.

　　

Step 9

Place 4 slices of the egg bread on a baking sheet, slide under the broiler, and heat just to warm through, 20 seconds on each side. Repeat with the remaining bread.

　　

Step 10

Top each slice of bread with 2 to 3 slices turkey. Ladle sauce over the top and divide the cheddar and Parmesan over the top of each slice. Place under the broiler and cook until bubbly and the tops are golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven, top each slice with 2 slices of bacon and a tomato slice, and sprinkle with parsley.

　　Reprinted with permission from Bobby Flay's Bar Americain Cookbook by Bobby Flay with Stephanie Banyas and Sally Jackson, (C) 2011 Clarkson PotterBOBBY FLAY, a New York Times bestselling author, is the chef-owner of six fine dining restaurants, including Mesa Grill, Bar Americain, and Bobby Flay Steak, and an expanding roster of Bobby's Burger Palaces. He is the host of numerous popular cooking shows on Food Network, from the Emmy-winning Boy Meets Grill and Grill It! with Bobby Flay, to the Iron Chef America series, Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, and Food Network Star. Brunch @ Bobby's debuted on the Cooking Channel in fall 2010 and America's Next Great Restaurant debuted in March 2011 on NBC. This is his eleventh book. His website is BobbyFlay.com.