Corned Beef, Reuben Sandwiches & St. Patrick's Day

It's that time of the year again. Time to get your Irish on. St. Patrick's Day in Chicago. On the Irish side of the family it is in our blood and a part of who we are. In Chicago it's also a big deal. Every year when I get an ad from the local grocer that corned beef is on sale I know what we have to do. Make corned beef and cabbage, or as my wife calls it "New England Boiled Dinner."

Thin sliced corned beef

That means going to the store and buying corned beef. There are many brands to buy out there but in Chicago it's Ray Harrington's, or Vienna brand, flat cut corned beef briskets are the best.

Add some Baby Swiss Cheese

While I love a New England boiled dinner as much as the next guy, to me it's really all about what you make with the left-overs. Corned beef sandwiches, Reuben sandwiches, or corned beef hash.

Russian or 1000 Island Dressing

I really do love a good Reuben when I can. It's really a very simple thing to make. 

Add some dressing

Ingredients
Corned beef, very thinly sliced
Swiss cheese
Rye bread, seeded, unseeded, or marble rye bread
Russian Dressing, or 1000 Island
Sauerkraut
Butter, for grilling
Deli-style Dill pickles, quartered

Add some Sauerkraut

If you have a meat slicer use that to cut the corned beef, otherwise you can buy some thinly sliced at your local deli while picking up your Swiss cheese. 

Butter the bread generously

Lay the sliced rye bread on a clean work surface and spread 1 side of each slice with some of the Russian dressing. Layer 1/2 of the slices with some of the corned beef. Divide the sauerkraut evenly over the meat, then top the sauerkraut with the slices of Swiss cheese. Place the remaining bread slices on top, dressing sides down, and set aside.

Place sandwiches on griddle

Heat a large heavy skillet or griddle over medium heat. When hot, place the sandwiches on the hot pan or griddle, buttered sides down, and cook until crispy and golden brown (about 3-4 minutes). Turn the sandwiches over to cook on the other side until golden brown, crispy, and the cheese is melted, 3 to 4 minutes longer.

Looking good

Transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board and cut in half on the diagonal. Place on plate and serve with dill pickles, Cole slaw, and potato chips.

Now where are those chips?

My wife prefers potato stix to chips so if you prefer those enjoy. If you're not into sauerkraut just make a plain corned beef on rye. 

Corned beef piled high with mustard of course

If you're looking for an Irish soda bread recipe, check out my previous post at http://dumplingproject.blogspot.com/2013/03/st-patricks-day-irish-soda-bread.html. 

What to do with the left-overs?

So what do I do with all the left-overs? Corned beef hash!

Corned beef hash ingredients

Have a great St. Patrick's Day. Get your Irish on!