Littlereubens Recipes

MINI REUBENS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven's broiler.
• Arrange cocktail rye slices on a baking sheet. Top each one with about 2 teaspoons of thousand island salad dressing, then fold about 1/2 slice of corned beef to fit the bread, and lay over the dressing. Place a small amount of sauerkraut over the meat, then top with 1/4 slice of the Swiss cheese, or a slice about as big as the bread.
• Broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. Serve warm.

LITTLE REUBEN PIES

Steps:

• If you haven't cooked your own corned beef, you can find some at the deli - but either way, make sure it's sliced super thin. I find my inexpensive hand slicer is ideal for making short work of slicing chilled meats.
• Put the sauerkraut in a cast iron or other non-stick skillet on medium heat. For every cup of sauerkraut, add about 1/2 teaspoon of caraway seeds and several grinds of black pepper. Saute the sauerkraut until just begining to brown slightly and the moisture is absorbed. Add the corned beef and mix together well, breaking up the corned beef slices as you do until all is well incorporated. Turn off the heat, add 1 cup grated Swiss cheese for every two cups of corned beef/sauerkraut mix and stir well. Cool to room temperature.
• Roll out your pastry dough - I used a store-bought dough from the refrigerated section, brought it to room temperature and rolled it out just slightly. You don't want it too thin - the filling is heavy and things could break apart. Cut circles from the dough using a glass, small bowl, pastry round -- whatever you have, and what ever size you'd like. You could make a mega-pie and eat with a fork, but hand-held is fun! Smear a bit of strong mustard on half of the dough circle and put on a good mound of the filling. Fold over, align the edges and crimp with a fork. Brush on a thin layer of egg wash (one egg, well beaten) and poke a couple of small air holes.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes (this depends on the size of your pie!) until golden brown. Serve with any or all of : Strong mustard, horseradish sauce, Russian dressing. Enjoy!

LITTLE REUBENS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375ºF.
• Cut each frank into 6 pieces. Unroll dough into 16 triangles; cut each triangle lengthwise into thirds. Place 1 tsp. sauerkraut and 1 frank on wide end of each triangle; roll up. Place, point-sides down, on baking sheet.
• Bake 12 to 14 min. or until golden brown.
• Mix dressing and horseradish; serve with franks.

LITTLE REUBENS

Steps:

• Unroll dough into 16 triangles; cut each triangle lengthwise into thirds and place one Little Smokey on each piece; If using hot dogs, leave dough in original size and place one hot dogs on each crescent roll.
• Place 1 tbsp.(for hot dogs) or 1/2 tablespoons (for Smokies) sauerkraut around meat, and roll up --ending with point of triangle. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; Bake at 375° for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
• Mix dressing and horseradish; Serve as dipping sauce.

TOASTED REUBENS

Steps:

• Spread mustard over 4 slices of bread. Layer with cheese, corned beef and sauerkraut. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and horseradish; spread over remaining bread. Place over sauerkraut. Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter., In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, toast sandwiches over medium heat until golden brown and cheese is melted, 3-4 minutes on each side.

THE REAL REUBEN

Steps:

• Place bread on baking sheet or broiling pan. Layer corned beef, sauerkraut and cheese on top of bread slices.
• Broil on high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, until cheese has melted. Serve hot with Thousand Island dressing.