Kentucky Hot Brown Sandwiches

This classic open-faced sandwich is a product of the South. The hot brown was created in the 1920s in Kentucky, at The Brown Hotel in Louisville as a way to feed guests who had been up all night at the hotel’s popular evening dinner dance. And it still makes a great late-night—or anytime—meal.Made with thinly sliced turkey breast, a smooth and creamy Mornay sauce (a white sauce with cheese—in this case, Parmesan), crisp bacon, tomatoes, and a slice of toasted bread, it’s an indulgent mess of a sandwich that requires a knife and fork to eat. A hot brown is a great post-Thanksgiving meal because it’s a great way to use leftover turkey. (The sauce also helps revive dry meat.) You can substitute cooked chicken for the turkey if you wish but don’t skip the bacon; it adds an extra layer of richness and the smoky, savory flavor enhances all of the other ingredients.