Baby Reubens Recipes

MINI REUBEN'S, FOR A PARTY

Steps:

• Lay out a sheet tray, place 20 bread slices on it, if desired, match up 20 more bread slices, reserving ends, and any pieces, with large holes in them, for something else, then set the 20 matched bread slices aside, in order to assemble the sandwiches, keeping only 20 slices on the sheet, making four rows of five.
• Put 1 teaspoon of dressing on each bread slice, I put it in the middle, and don't spread it out, because it's going to squish, when the fillings are added.
• Stack the ten Swiss cheese slices on top of each other. Cut them in four (that makes 40). Put one piece of cheese, on each dressed slice, follow by one whole slice of deli corned beef, followed by some sauerkraut, and then the remaining 20 cheese slices. If a saucier sandwich is desired, a little more dressing may be placed on the interior, of each bread slice, before finally assembling the sandwich.
• Brush the bread slices evenly with half of the melted butter. Turn each sandwich, and brush the remaining butter on them.
• Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes, serve at once, accompanied by a bowl of dressing, for dipping, on the side.
• Note: the sandwiches are also good about 20 minutes after coming out of the oven, when they are still slightly warm.
• Another note: if a very small party appetizer is desired, each sandwich may be cut two, easily, but they will need to be transferred to an appropriate surface, in batches, to do it, before being transferred to plates, for serving.

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!