Run for the Roses Appetizer: Mini Kentucky Hot Browns

A mini version of Kentucky’s favorite open-face sandwich, these miniature hot browns are the perfect appetizer for the greatest two minutes in sport and Derby-watch party.

Are you ready for “The Run for the Roses”? Post time for the Kentucky Derby is 6:34 p.m. ET today,

and Mini Hot Browns are just the right size appetizer to enjoy along

with “The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports”.

The Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich of turkey and bacon, covered in Mornay sauce.

Made famous in the 1920’s by the chef at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky,

this mini-version is a quintessential Derby Day party food!

You can make your own Mornay sauce or use a short-cut with a  ready-made Welsh Rarebit

creamy cheddar cheese sauce you can find in the freezer section of your grocery store.

These Mini Kentucky Hot Browns are crowd-pleasing bite you can scale up or down for a crowd

or yourself and enjoy in front of your television while cheering on your favorite horse.

Don’t forget to wear your fanciest hat ;)

Update 4/23: Stouffer’s has discontinued their Welsh rarebit sauce so recipe has been updated to include Mornay sauce.

Mini Kentucky Hot Browns

Serves 24

Ingredients

24 (2-inch) round slices white bread

2 tablespoons butter, melted

6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

1⁄4 pound thick-cut smoked deli turkey, cut into bite-size pieces

24 slices Roma tomatoes

1⁄4 cup loosely packed chopped parsley

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°.  Brush both sides of bread rounds with melted butter.

Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 4 to 6 minutes, or until lightly golden.

Mornay Sauce

1 1/2 cups (serving size: about 2 1/2 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

¼ cup finely chopped onion

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups whole milk

¼ teaspoon salt

Dash of freshly ground white pepper

Freshly grated nutmeg (optional)

½ cup (2 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese

Place butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat; cook until butter melts, stirring occasionally. Add onion to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender (do not brown), stirring occasionally. Sprinkle flour over onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Gradually add milk to flour mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth; bring to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring frequently. Strain mixture through a fine sieve over a bowl; discard solids.

Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg, if desired.

Wipe pan clean with paper towels. Return sauce to pan, and place over medium-low heat. Add Gruyère cheese, stirring until smooth. Serve immediately.

Spoon cheese sauce on top of toasted bread rounds.

Sprinkle with bacon. Layer 2 pieces turkey and 1 slice tomato.

Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. Serve immediately.

 To make ahead for your Derby watching, assemble as directed, without tomato and parsley and refrigerate.

When ready to serve, place in preheated 350° oven on a parchment lined baking sheet for 5 – 10 minutes

or until warmed through. Top with tomato and parsley and serve.

Serve these Kentucky Hot Browns with a Sweet Tea Julep,

a marriage of two classic Southern drinks, the mint julep and sweet tea!

I pulled out my Old Kentucky Home scale to serve up these Mini Hot Browns. . .

The Stephen Foster ballad, “My Old Kentucky Home” is performed by the University of Louisville Marching Band

as the horses make their way from the paddock to the starting gate, and has been a Derby Day tradition since 1936.

And for a sweet ending, serve up some Mini Derby Pies, a Bluegrass-inspired recipe,

baked in a muffin tin! These mini pies are a winning trifecta of pecan pie,

chocolate and a touch of Kentucky Bourbon!

Top your Mini Derby Pies with Easy Bourbon Whipped Cream, ready in 20 seconds!

Or enjoy a Derby Truffle (or two!)

 Rich, easy, and can be made ahead

You’re welcome to join me at an  Off to the Races Derby-inspired Table,

 with plaid and roses plates, Mint Julep Cup vases filled with azalea blooms and sprigs of mint.

Thank you for your visit!