This year we're trying to make it through the holidays without gaining weight. I HAVE to lose 30+ pounds to make the load on my heart less. Karen has lost 120 pounds or so since the surgery in January and this is no time to fall apart. We're doing shellfish mainly but as far as turkey goes, the only reason I ever make one is for the leftovers, specifically the recipe below and Turkey Pie. I've posted it before but once more can't hurt......much.

I'll give you my favorite thing to do with leftover turkey for a start. Its called Kentucky Hot Brown and was originated at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. There are lots of variants but I guarantee mine is the best you'll ever eat. Its a sandwich, but you eat it with a knife and fork and in a 9x13 you can make 8 at a time, so here's the way to make 8.

BTW, don't cut corners trying to save on fat and calories or cholesterol. I only make this twice a year so what the hell......and when you try to cut back, the dish goes to down the tubes. Just eat and enjoy.

SPAW'S KENTUCKY HOT BROWN

---You will need enough turkey for eight 2-layer sandwiches, preferably sliced white, although dark slices work well too....a matter of taste.

---Start by cooking one pound of bacon in a skillet. Cook soft and don't overcook as you will be baking it later. You need at least 20 strips of bacon

---While the bacon is frying, toast 24 slices of good bread. Use good bread, sourdough is excellent.

---Set aside the bacon strips and now lightly brown the turkey in the bacon grease. Just a bit on the crispy side.

---Set aside the browned turkey and use an appropriate amount of flour, salt, and water to make the grease into a thick gravy. Add a tablespoon of Worcestershire Sauce and a tablespoon of Cayenne Pepper Sauce. Add black pepper and garlic powder to taste, about a teaspoon each. Salt to taste.

---As the gravy cooks, add one package of frozen peas.


YOU ARE NOW READY TO ASSEMBLE

---You will need at least 4 cups of a sharp cheddar, shredded. Also cut your bacon strips in half to divide them up.

---Put a thin layer of the gravy on the bottom of the pan.

---Arrange eight slices of toasted bread on the bottom of the pan.

---Now put a bit of gravy on each slice of bread, then sliced turkey on this first layer, followed by a layer of cheese, bacon strips on each sandwich, then a layer of gravy.

---Put the second slice of bread on each sandwich and repeat what you did on the first layer.....a bit of gravy, turkey slices, cheese, bacon strips, gravy ... and then top with the final slices of bread.

---Cover the top slice of bread with gravy, bacon slices, and then a layer of cheese.

---Bake at 375 for about a half hour and then let stand for at least 15 minutes before serving.


SERVE AND EAT !!!!!!!

Now I gotta' tell you that if this ain't the best damn thing to do with leftover turkey, then I don't know what is!!! Don't scrimp on the turkey or any of the other ingredients. The only reason I cook turkey is to make Hot Brown and Turkey Pie. Enjoy!!!

Spaw