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Apple Reuben

This unpretentious little bakery and café is a favorite with the locals, and Deb Moglia’s smart-looking sandwiches on fresh-baked breads attract a steady crowd at lunchtime. My favorite is the Apple Reuben, a warmingly satisfying construction inspired by the pastrami-stuffed version, only here it is made with sautéed local apples.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 2 sandwiches

Ingredients

Thousand Island Dressing

1

/3 cup mayonnaise

1

tablespoon chile sauce

1

teaspoon chopped green bell pepper

1

/2 teaspoon chopped pimiento

1

/2 teaspoon chopped chives

Apple Reuben

4

slices rye bread

4

slices Swiss cheese

2

tablespoons olive oil

16 to 20

thin slices Empire apple, unpeeled

2

/3 cup sauerkraut, drained

2

tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients in a blender on high speed and place the dressing in a sealed jar. Chill until ready to use.

    Step 2

    To make the Apple Reuben, spread enough Thousand Island Dressing to coat one side of each slice of bread. Top each bread slice with 1 slice of cheese. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a sauté pan, add the apple slices, and sauté for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the sauerkraut and cook for 1 minute more, just to warm. Remove from the heat and spoon the apple and sauerkraut mixture over 2 of the bread slices. Top with the remaining slice of bread, cheese side down. Brush the outside of the sandwich with the butter, place in a dry skillet, and grill slowly on both sides over medium heat for about 3 minutes per side, or until the cheese melts and the sandwich is browned.

Greetings from the Finger Lakes