smokey turkey reuben

This is the Melt Bar and Grilled version of a Turkey Reuben. Melt is this amazing grilled cheese palace in Cleveland, Ohio that has been featured on several television shows like Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and Man vs Food. I went when Ed and I were living in Cleveland, and this is what I ordered. I didn't even come close to replicating the deliciousness that was that sandwich, but I tried my best. They call it the Smokey Russian, I'm just going with the smokey turkey reuben.

You're going to start with a pile of sliced onions- seasoned with salt and pepper. Caramelize until they look like...

This. Sauteed and delicious. Set these aside and prepare for phase two.

This is phase two. Cooking and heating through the sliced turkey and sauerkraut. Please use smoked turkey for this. It's part of the reason why it's called a smokey turkey. Cook this portion until it looks like...

This! Slightly crispy and delish. Now it's time to assemble.

Melt Bar and Grilled gives you a choice of bread. Swirled pumpernickel would be nice, or even rye. We had some sourdough in the fridge, so I went with that. Your order of layering will go buttered bread (butter side out) shredded gouda, turkey and kraut, shredded gouda, buttered bread (butter side out). Now, you can put the Russian (a.k.a. 1000 Island dressing) inside the griller if you would like, but I prefer to dip mine.

Let it toast on one side and then flip... let it toast again and slice before serving- just for easier scarfing. You'll love this, I promise.

Smokey Turkey Reuben
Adapted from Melt Bar and Grilled Smokey Russian!
1 lb sliced deli smokey turkey
1 15 oz can sauerkraut
1 cup shredded or sliced smoked gouda cheese
1 large onion, sliced
8 slices bread
4 Tablespoons butter
Salt and Pepper

In a saute pan, cooked sliced onions in 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat until caramelized and brown. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from pan and set aside. In the same saute pan, combine sliced turkey and sauerkraut over medium high heat and cook until slightly brown and warmed through. While turkey and sauerkraut is cooking, butter the 8 slices of bread. When turkey and sauerkraut is cooked, removed from heat and set aside. In a separate saute pan, layer buttered bread, gouda cheese, sauteed onions, cooked turkey and sauerkraut, gouda cheese and bread. Cook until bread is toasted on one side. Flip and cook on other side. Remove from heat. Enjoy!