Family Chow Hall

Reuben Sandwiches

April 8th, 2006

Reuben Sandwiches - It’s like a taste explosion in your mouth. I would love to have met the guy who created this amazing flavor combination. Who would have thought that you can take five - count ‘em, five - strong and contrasting flavors and create a taste sensation for your buds? I love it!

Here’s what you get when you have or make a Reuben:

Rye bread or Rye Bun –> Rye is a grain, of course, that is more fibrous and nutritious than most grains, because it is difficult to separate. Rye was once considered a weed that grew in wheat and barley fields. The Germans (hooray!) were the first to appreciate and cultivate rye. Rye is one of those things that has past been considered a “poor man’s food,” but has a delightful robust nutty flavor.

Corned Beef –> Created by the Irish, corned beef is not corned at all. It is preserved by salt and, in its day, was used as a source of protein worldwide by sailors and armies. The term “corn” at the time referred to anything that came in the form of grains or pellets, in this case, salt. When corn as we know it was introduced to European “visitors” to America, we termed it corn because it was so common and came in grains.

Sauerkraut–> Much to my dismay I have recently learned that sauerkraut was created by the Chinese. No kidding - they ate it while building the Great Wall - that’s what I’ve read. Then, when the Mongols invaded Europe, appreciation for sauerkraut spread westward. Of course, the Germans gave it its name. Sauerkraut is “sour” or salted and fermented cabbage. It’s tangy, wangy and delicious, with 0 fat and plenty of fiber and nutrients.

Swiss Cheese –> Another bold flavor for this amazing sandwich, Swiss cheese actually refers to any pale yellow cheese with somewhat large holes in it. Interesting note - the holes in your Swiss cheese may be shrinking, since modern slicing equipment doesn’t do too well on those large holes.

Thousand Island Dressing –> Finally, a sweet and tangy sauce to top it all off. A modified version of Russian Dressing, Thousand Island is basically mayonnaise, a little ketchup, and some pickle relish. It was created in New York and sometimes even has chopped hard-boiled eggs in it.

There are two basic ways to make a Reuben:

Entry Filed under: Beef, Mixed bag, Philosophy, Recipes, Supper, sandwiches