Unveiling the Secrets of the Turkey Devonshire: A Culinary Adventure

This recipe for an easy turkey Devonshire sandwich is a great way to make a hearty and decadent meal. It combines delicious ingredients such as crispy bacon, juicy tomato, creamy cheese sauce, and tender turkey slices on perfectly toasted bread. This traditional Pittsburgh dish is much more than just an open-faced sandwich; it’s a hearty, filling lunch, dinner, or even a scrumptious weekend brunch.

Welcome, fellow food enthusiasts, to a delectable journey into the world of the Turkey Devonshire Sandwich a Pittsburgh classic that tantalizes taste buds and warms hearts.

Structure:

  • Briefly introduce the Turkey Devonshire Sandwich, highlighting its origins and popularity.
  • History: Delve into the fascinating history of the sandwich, tracing its roots back to the 1930s in Pittsburgh and its connection to the iconic LeMont Restaurant.
  • Recipe: Provide a clear and concise recipe for the Turkey Devonshire Sandwich, incorporating insights from both provided URLs and emphasizing the key ingredients and steps.
  • Variations: Explore various ways to customize the sandwich, including different cheeses, bread types, and additional toppings.
  • Tips and Tricks: Share helpful tips and tricks for making the perfect Turkey Devonshire, gleaned from expert advice and user reviews.
  • Thanksgiving Leftovers: Discuss how the Turkey Devonshire serves as a fantastic way to utilize leftover turkey after Thanksgiving, offering a creative and delicious solution.
  • Summarize the key points of the article and leave the reader with a sense of inspiration and excitement to try this unique and flavorful sandwich.

Content:

The Turkey Devonshire Sandwich, a culinary gem hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is much more than just an open-faced sandwich This hearty and comforting creation boasts layers of tender turkey, crispy bacon, juicy tomato, and a creamy cheese sauce, all nestled upon perfectly toasted bread Whether enjoyed as a satisfying lunch, a decadent brunch, or a delightful way to repurpose Thanksgiving leftovers, the Turkey Devonshire is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

History:

The story of the Turkey Devonshire begins in the 1930s at The Stratford Club in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood. Frank Blandi, the culinary mastermind behind this iconic sandwich, first introduced it to the world. The name “Devonshire” was inspired by the street Blandi could see from the LeMont Restaurant, where he later served his creation. The sandwich’s popularity soared, with Blandi having to whip up the cheese sauce in five-gallon batches to keep up with demand.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • Cheese Sauce:
    • 4 tablespoons butter
    • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese (sharp recommended)
    • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Sandwich:
    • 4 slices Italian bread, lightly toasted
    • 1/2 pound turkey breast, thinly sliced
    • 4 slices bacon, cooked
    • 2 slices tomato
    • Dash of paprika

Instructions:

  1. Cheese Sauce: Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  2. Add the flour and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
  3. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk, ensuring a smooth consistency.
  4. Bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
  6. Sandwich: Preheat oven to broil.
  7. Arrange two slices of toasted bread in a pie pan or individual oven-proof dish.
  8. Layer half of the turkey and two tomato slices on each bread slice.
  9. Generously ladle the cheese sauce over the sandwiches.
  10. Sprinkle with paprika.
  11. Top each sandwich with two slices of bacon, forming a criss-cross pattern.
  12. Broil until the cheese begins to brown and bubble.
  13. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to assemble the second sandwich.
  14. Transfer to plates and serve immediately.

Variations:

  • Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses, such as provolone, Gruyère, or even a combination of your favorites.
  • Bread: Opt for sourdough bread for a tangy twist or use a hearty multigrain bread for added texture.
  • Toppings: Add a touch of heat with a dash of hot sauce to the cheese sauce or incorporate other toppings like avocado slices or roasted red peppers.

Tips and Tricks:

  • Ensure the cheese sauce is cooked through and thickened before assembling the sandwiches.
  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and texture.
  • Broil the sandwiches closely to prevent burning the bread while achieving the desired cheese browning.
  • Serve the sandwiches immediately for maximum enjoyment.

Thanksgiving Leftovers:

The Turkey Devonshire provides a brilliant solution for utilizing leftover turkey after Thanksgiving. It transforms those leftover slices into a star ingredient, creating a flavorful and satisfying meal that goes beyond the typical post-holiday turkey sandwich.

The Turkey Devonshire Sandwich is a culinary masterpiece that embodies the spirit of Pittsburgh’s culinary scene. Its rich history, delectable ingredients, and endless customization possibilities make it a sandwich worth savoring. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a novice in the kitchen, this guide provides all the tools and inspiration you need to create your own delicious Turkey Devonshire. So, grab your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

History of the Turkey Devonshire Sandwich

The Devonshire sandwich originated in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1930s. Frank Blandi invented this delectable sandwich, which he first offered at the Shadyside neighborhood’s The Stratford Club.

When Blandi owned the Lemont Restaurant in the Mount Washington neighborhood, he came up with the name for this sandwich. He could see Devonshire Street as he looked down at Pittsburgh, and he thought that would be a great name for a sandwich.

The original Turkey Devonshire recipe called for strips of crispy bacon and slices of turkey, and it was so popular that Blandi had to prepare the sauce in five-gallon batches! Blandi, however, continued to serve variations on the cheese sauce, which was the main course, with chicken, crab, shrimp, and asparagus.

How to Make Turkey Devonshire

This Turkey Devonshire recipe is easy to make. Here are the steps:

  • Melt the butter over medium heat.
  • Add all the cheeses and whisk or stir until melted.
  • Add the flour and cook for about 1 minute.
  • When the sauce thickens, stir in the milk and chicken broth. If desired, add salt and pepper to taste (be aware that the bacon will be salty).

recipe for turkey devonshire

recipe for turkey devonshire

  • Set the oven to broil.
  • After the bread is toasted, put two pieces in a pie pan or separate oven-safe casserole dish.
  • Place two tomato slices and half of the turkey on top of the toast slice.
  • Ladle half the cheese sauce over the sandwich.

recipe for turkey devonshire

recipe for turkey devonshire

  • Sprinkle with paprika.
  • Place 2 slices of bacon over the cheese sauce.
  • Broil until the cheese begins to brown (light golden brown).
  • Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

recipe for turkey devonshire

  • If you’d like, you can mix in a few dashes of hot sauce with the cheese.
  • You can substitute the Cheddar cheese with provolone or gruyere.
  • Tomatoes may be omitted.

PITTSBURGH TURKEY DEVONSHIRE

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