One night my husband was hungry and I didn't have a lot of time before he had to go to bed to whip something up. In the summer time we stay outdoors till dark and usually I am in a pinch to get something made up fast. So I had half a sliced ham in the fridge, italian loaf sliced bread, and sauerkraut. Then I was thinking about a side item and I thought about the homemade fries.
I have toyed with this sandwich several times since I first tried to make it because if you don't do the steps separately it could end up a soggy sandwich and nobody likes mushy bread.
What seemed to end up working was the following. Throw several slices of ham and cook it in the pan until it's browned but not too browned to where it's tough or chewy. A few minutes on each side is fine. Then move it to a plate and cover it to keep it warm. Then I use a little cooking spray and toss in some sauerkraut. You will want to cook it until the juices run completely out or else mushy bread. By the way I cook it in the same pan with ham juices for extra flavor.
Next I wipe out the same pan with a paper towel just to remove any leftover moisture. Next I butter one side of each slice of bread and sprinkle with garlic salt very lightly or it will be too salty. Then a little garlic powder for extra garlickyness and little parsley and oregano. Then brown the buttered sides of the bread. Remove them to a separate plate and spray the pan again with cooking spray. Then put the uncooked side of the bread in and toast lightly. The reason I do this is because if you butter both sides it will be too buttery and extra fat that's not needed. However if you don't toast it, yep it gets mushy.
Now your ham may have cooled a bit so I put a slice of cheese, use any kind you like, on layered ham pieces and put in the microwave covered for 30 seconds or so or until the cheese is melted. Now to fix your sandwich. Put the ham and cheese on one slice of bread and then put a pile of sauerkraut on top of that.
For the dressing for the sandwich, my husband is not a fan of thousand island dressing and that is usually the staple dressing for a Reuben. He is not a huge fan of mayo either but will eat it in small quanitity, so I take just a little mayo and add italian dressing to it and make that the sauce and other times he has opted for spicy brown mayo instead. Cut the sandwich however you like for presentation and easier eating.
Now, I know for some people managing multiple things on the burner can be tricky. So if you want to do the homestyle fries I would rinse, cut and dry them ahead of making the sandwich and also prepare a saucepan with oil. So basically, just get a russet or sometimes I use red potatoes and after washing I slice it in half lengthwise. Then slice those slices in half again lengthwise and then slice those slices into french fry size pieces. Next pat them dry with paper towels, and carefully put into hot oil with a large slotted spoon. Then start your sandwich stuff, but keep in mind to stir the potatoes a little meanwhile. Cook until browned at least 15 minutes and remove to a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with chili powder, garlic powder, paprika and sea salt for extra flair.
So basic ingredients are:
Rueben:
sliced ham
jarred or canned sauerkraut
sliced cheese of your choice
Italian Bread loaf sliced (with seasoned crust even better!)
butter
garlic salt and powder
parsley
thousand island dressing or spicy mustard or mayo and italian dressing or make up your own creation!
Homestyle fries:
potatoes
Oil
seasonings as advised above
