Hot Brown: Difference between revisions

A '''Hot Brown sandwich''' (sometimes known as a '''Louisville Hot Brown''' or '''Kentucky Hot Brown''') is an American hot [[sandwich]] originally created at the [[Brown Hotel (Louisville, Kentucky)|Brown Hotel]] in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], by Fred K. Schmidt in 1926. It is a variation of traditional [[Welsh rarebit]] and was one of two signature sandwiches created by chefs at the Brown Hotel shortly after its founding in 1923. It was created to serve as an alternative to [[ham]] and [[egg (food)|egg]] late-night suppersdinners.<ref name="Kleber I pg.443">Kleber, John E. (I) ''The Kentucky Encyclopedia''. UP of Kentucky. p. 443.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ranahan |first=Jared |date=2020-09-05 |title=Everything you need to know about the Kentucky Hot Brown |url=https://10best.usatoday.com/interests/food-culture/hot-brown-what-it-is-best-places-to-eat/ |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=USA Today 10Best |language=en}}</ref>

The Hot Brown is an [[Open sandwich|open-faced]] [[sandwich]] of [[turkey (food)|turkey]] breast, ham and [[bacon]], covered in creamy [[Mornay sauce]] and baked or broiled until the [[bread]] is crisp and the sauce begins to brown. Many Hot Browns also include ham with the turkey, and either [[pimento]]s or [[tomato]]es over the sauce,<ref>{{cite book |publisherlast1=Writer'sFlexner Digest|first1=Marion Books|title=Writer'sOut Guideof toKentucky Kitchens Places|authorsdate=Don1949 Prues|publisher=University andPress Jackof Kentucky Heffron|page=129|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NJLOxRaUGF0C&pg=PA129|year=2003|isbn=158297169232}}</ref> andAlternatives imitationfor Hotgarnishes Brownsinclude sometimestomatoes, substitute[[mushroom]] aslices, commercialand, cheesevery saucerarely, insteadcanned of the Mornay[[peach]]es.<ref>{{cite web|urlname=http://eatathomecooks"Kleber I pg.com443" /2012/09/kentucky-hot-brown-bake/|title><ref name=Kentucky"Kleber HotII Brownpg.404">Kleber, Bake|date=SeptemberJohn 27,E. 2012|author=Tiffany(II) Home|publisher=''EatEncyclopedia At Homeof CooksLouisville''}}. (University Press of Kentucky). pg.404.</ref>

When Fred K. Schmidt created the Hot Brown, its sliced roast turkey was a rarity, as turkey was usually reserved for holiday feasts. The original Hot Brown included the sliced turkey on an open-faced [[white bread|white]] [[Toast (food)|toast]] sandwich, with Mornay sauce covering it, with a sprinkling of [[Parmesan cheese]], completed by being oven-[[broil]]ed until bubbly. Pimento and bacon strips were then added to it. After its debut, it quickly became the choice of ninety-five percent95%of the customers to the Brown Hotel's restaurant customers.<ref name="Kleber I pg.443"/><ref name="Kleber II pg.404" />

The dish is a local specialty and favorite of the Louisville area, and is popular throughout Kentucky. It was long unavailable at its point of origin, as the Brown Hotel was shut downshuttered from 1971 to 1985.<ref name="Kleber I pg.443"/>

The "cold brown" wasis baked [[poultry]] ([[Chicken (food)|chicken]] or turkey), hard-boiled egg, [[lettuce]], and [[tomato]] open-faced on [[rye bread]], and covered with [[Thousand Island dressing]]. It is rarely served anymore.<ref name="Kleber I pg.443"/>

{{anchor|Prosperity sandwich|Prosperity Sandwich}}In [[St. Louis]], the '''Prosperity Sandwich''' is a similar dish, with origins at the [[Mayfair Hotel (St. Louis, Missouri)|Mayfair Hotel]] in the 1920s.<ref name="Treacy2005">{{cite book|author=Patricia Treacy|title=The Grand Hotels of St. Louis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z4kmpPdoN1MC&pg=PA72|accessdateaccess-date=10 September 2013|year=2005|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-0-7385-3974-4|page=72}}</ref> It is still served in the area today, and sometimes called a "hot brown".<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/prosperity-sandwich-is-a-longtime-favorite-in-st-louis/article_3f359743-d572-5a84-a502-1b164e44c1a5.html |accessdateaccess-date=2013-09-10 |date=August 3, 2011 |title=Prosperity sandwich is a longtime favorite in St. Louis |newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]}}</ref>

The [[Turkey Devonshire]], first served in [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]], in the 1930s, has been described as being similar to the Hot Brown.<ref name=Devonshire>Cathey, Dave (2 February 2011). [http://newsok.com/food-fight-pittsburgh-green-bay-recipes-go-head-to-head/article/3536944 Food fight: Pittsburgh, Green Bay recipes go head to head], ''[[The Oklahoman]]''</ref>

On the [[Food Network]], the Hot Brown was featured in an episode of ''[[Throwdown! with Bobby Flay]]''. Joe and John Castro, chefs of the Brown Hotel in Kentucky, competed and won against Flay in a cook-off.<ref>{{cite web |agency= [[Food Network]] |url= http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/throwdown-with-bobby-flay/episodes/hot-browns |title= Hot Browns |publisher= ''[[Throwdown! with Bobby Flay]]''}}</ref> It has also been featured on episodes of the network's shows ''[[The RachelRachael Ray Show]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rachaelrayshow.com/recipes/22127_hot_browns/|title=Recipes: Hot Browns|date=February 4, 2016 |publisher=''[[The RachelRachael Ray Show]]''}}</ref> and ''[[Southern Fried Road Trip]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.foodanddine.com/smoketown-usa-the-cafe-to-be-featured-on-food-network-tonight/ |title= SMOKETOWN USA, THE CAFÉ TO BE FEATURED ON FOOD NETWORK TONIGHT |date= August 10, 2015 |publisher= ''[[Food & Wine]]'' |author= Ron Mikulak}}</ref> On the [[Travel Channel]], the Hot Brown has been featured on the show ''Taste of America'' with [[Mark DeCarlo]],<ref>{{cite webmagazine |url= http://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/taste-of-america-with-mark-decarlo/episode-22-season-1/green-chiles-hot-brown-pecan-pie/197280/|title=Taste of America with Mark Decarlo: Season 1, Episode 22 Green Chiles, Hot Brown, Pecan Pie|date=August 2, 2005|publishermagazine=''[[TV Guide]]''}}</ref> a Louisville-themed episode of ''[[Man v. Food Nation]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/man-v-food/articles/adam-richmans-guide-to-louisville|title=Adam Richman's Guide to Louisville|publisher=[[Travel Channel]]}}</ref> and a 2018 episode of ''[[Food Paradise]]'' entitledtitled "Sandwich Heroes".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aceweekly.com/2018/06/when-does-the-stellas-episode-air-on-travel-channel/|title=When does the Stella’sStella's episode air on Travel Channel?|last=M|first=M|date=2018-06-15|work=Ace Weekly|access-date=2018-06-18|language=en-US}}</ref> On [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]], the sandwich was featured in a [[Top Chef: Kentucky]] Quickfire challenge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Morabito |first=Greg |date=2019-01-18 |title='Top Chef Kentucky' Recap: A Beef Challenge That Goes Off the Rails |url=https://www.eater.com/2019/1/18/18188119/top-chef-carne-recap-season-16-episodes-7 |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=Eater |language=en}}</ref>

On [[PBS]], the Hot Brown has been featured in the documentary ''[[Sandwiches That You Will Like]]''<ref>{{cite web|author=KAREN TORTORA-LEE|url=http://thehappiestmedium.com/2008/10/best-pbs-show-ever-sandwiches-that-you-will-like/|publisher=''The Happiest Medium''|date=October 3, 2008|title=Best PBS Show EVER: Sandwiches That You Will Like}}</ref> as well as the program ''[[The Mind of a Chef]]'', where Chef David Chang presented his interpretation of the sandwich.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 28, 2015|url=https://www.pbs.org/food/features/the-mind-of-a-chef-season-1/|title=Season 1 Episode 8: Gluttony|publisher=[[PBS]]}}</ref>

{{Portal|Food|Bacon}}

[[Category:CulinaryHot dishessandwiches]]