Homemade Thousand Island Reuben Sandwich

Going gluten free means that I used to miss out on some of my favorite deli sandwiches, but no more!

I have come up with a way to make a tasty and delicious Thousand Island Reuben sandwich at home. As gluten free bread is not as large as regular wheat bread, these sandwiches are small but satisfying.

---

Homemade Hot Reuben Sandwich

Ingredients:

Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free San Juan 7-Grain Bread, 18 Oz

4 slices gluten-free white or other favorite sandwich bread (Udi's or Canyon Bakehouse are good options)

A few pats of room temperature butter

2 slices Swiss cheese (pre-sliced)

1/2-3/4 c. sauerkraut, drained well

6 slices thin-sliced ham (gluten free-no wheat starch), or pastrami

1/2 to 3/4 cup Homemade Thousand Island dressing (recipe below)

---

Homemade Thousand Island Dressing

Mix together in a small bowl:

1 large tablespoon of organic mayonnaise (gluten free is best)

Small amount (2 tsp.) of gluten-free ketchup such as Heinz organic

Dijon mustard (Annie's is naturally gluten free)

1 tsp. sweet pickle relish

Dash of powdered ginger

Set aside the dressing.  Preheat a medium-sized heavy frying pan or griddle and reduce to low heat.

---

Meanwhile, butter one side of each piece of bread. Place two slices butter side down on a small plate. Spread some of the dressing on the top side of the bread, followed by the drained sauerkraut. Add one slice of Swiss cheese. Fold three ham or pastrami slices in half, then arrange them on top of the cheese. Next add the cheese again, then spread more of the dressing over the second slice of bread. Put the second slice of bread on top, with its butter side facing up. Repeat with the third and fourth bread slices to make a second sandwich.

Using a large spatula and holding the sandwich down with the other hand, set the sandwiches carefully into the frying pan. Turn the heat up slightly to medium low. 

Cook on one side for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown, then press down firmly with the spatula to flatten the sandwich. Using two spatulas if necessary, hold the sandwiches together flip them over and cook on the other side for another 4-5 minutes. Adjust the heat as necessary to avoid burning.

Cheese should be melting out from the sides of the sandwich by this time.

Serves 2 people. 

Delicious with leek-potato soup or a salad.