Hot Brown
The origin of the Hot Brown is believed to be at the historic Brown Hotel in Louisville. It was created by Chef Fred Schmidt as an alternative to steak and eggs. His reimagination of the traditional Welsh rarebit brought the Hot Brown to life.
The components of the Hot Brown are fairly simple: thick-cut turkey, creamy mornay sauce, crisp bacon, and juicy tomatoes, all served on top of a freshly-baked slice of Texas toast. The sauce, which contains Pecorino Romano, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, is what truly sets the Hot Brown apart from other dishes. The richness of the cheese complements the taste of the turkey perfectly, and the creamy texture of the sauce adds a velvety depth to the entire dish.
Once the sandwich is assembled, it's baked until golden and bubbly. The resultant hot, cheesy, crispy, and savory concoction is nothing short of culinary perfection.
For residents of Louisville, the Hot Brown is as ubiquitous as the Kentucky Derby. The city takes great pride in its signature dish, and it remains popular today. Whether you enjoy it as a main dish, or as a late-night snack, there is no denying the Hot Brown's timeless appeal.
Hot Brown recipes
Amazing Hot Brown recipes sourced from the web.
The origin of Hot Brown
The Hot Brown may be a classic Louisville dish, but its roots are shrouded in mystery. While its origin story remains unclear, there are two popular theories about the birth of this delicious dish.
The first, and maybe the most likely, is that the Hot Brown was invented accidentally by Chef Fred Schmidt at the historic monumental Brown Hotel in 1926. According to legend, Fred had already served guests several rounds of traditional turkey sandwiches when he decided to hit them up with something new. He cooked up some chopped turkey and covered it with Mornay sauce and bacon before putting it all under a broiler, and the rest is history.
The other popular theory is that the dish came from the kitchens of a rival establishment to the Brown Hotel. Named The French Chef, the restaurant was owned by the same family that owned the Brown Hotel, the Rothbergs. A chef at the French Chef, who almost certainly had some knowledge of the Brown Hotel's culinary treats, whipped up a version of the Hot Brown and introduced it to their guests.
No one knows which theory is true, and both have been argued for decades. What we do know is that the Hot Brown has become an iconic Southern dish —a savory combination of creamy cheese sauce, chopped turkey, and crispy bacon. If you ever find yourself in Louisville, be sure to give the Hot Brown a try—you won't regret it!
Types of Hot Brown
The Hot Brown - an iconic dish that hails from Kentucky and features layers of toast, turkey, bacon and cheese. It is a regional favorite that many locals hold close to their hearts. Despite its relatively simple ingredients, the Hot Brown provides a myriad of flavor combinations when prepared correctly.
At its core, the Hot Brown consists of four components: toast, turkey, bacon, and cheese. The toast is traditionally made using white bread, sourdough or Texas toast, while the turkey is typically cooked with a creamy sauce like Mornay sauce or Hollandaise. The bacon adds a salty smoky flavor and can range from thin slices to thick, meaty strips. Finally, the cheese is often grated cheese, such as Parmesan, cheddar, or gruyere.
Starting with the toast, the hot brown can be made with either fresh or stale bread. Stale bread has the advantage of being able to absorb more of the sauce, and it will stay crispier during the baking process. Fresh bread, on the other hand, makes for a fresher, lighter version of the dish.
The type of cheese used in the hot brown also helps to determine its taste. While traditional recipes call for grated Parmesan, cheddar, or gruyere, some variations call for a mix of two or even three types of cheeses for an added layer of flavor. Additionally, the type of cheese and those used can be swapped out for different flavors, such as feta, ricotta, or blue cheese.
Although the Hot Brown is generally served with bacon, some versions omit the bacon altogether or substitute it with another type of protein, such as ham or turkey. This can effectively turn the Hot Brown into a vegetarian meal.
Finally, there are a variety of different sauces which can be used in the Hot Brown. From Mornay sauce to Hollandaise, Alfredo, or even a traditional gravy, each sauce will contribute to the overall flavor and texture of the finished dish.
No matter which ingredients are used, the Hot Brown is a classic dish that has been enjoyed by many for generations. With a few simple tweaks, this classic comfort food can be transformed into something new and exciting.