Fun Lunch Friday! Irish Reuben on Grilled Soda Bread

Fun Lunch Fridays are for amazing food, whether solo or with great company, and ... making life extra-licious! At Fun Lunch Friday, we celebrate the joy of cooking with something simple, classic, and down to your soul satisfying.

Today, we're throwing it back to a sandwich I haven't made in forever and a day ... the Irish Reuben, but with a twist: we're ditching the traditional rye for grilled Irish soda bread. Melty Swiss cheese, warm corned beef, tangy sauerkraut, and a spicy Thousand Island dressing, all pressed between buttery, grilled slices of Irish soda bread. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside ... perfection in every bite.

This sandwich is total comfort, nostalgia, and a hug on a plate.

Serves: 2 | Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

• 4 slices Irish soda bread (thick-cut)
• 8 oz corned beef, thinly sliced and warm
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• ? cup sauerkraut, well-drained
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

Spicy Thousand Island Dressing:

• ? cup mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp horseradish
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp finely chopped pickles
• 1 tsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• Salt & Tellicherry pepper, to taste

Directions:

1. Make the dressing: Whisk together all ingredients in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
2. Prep the bread: Spread a thin layer of creamed-salted butter on one side of each soda bread slice.
3. Assemble the sandwich: On the unbuttered side of two slices, spread a generous amount of spicy Thousand Island dressing. Layer with Swiss cheese, warm corned beef, sauerkraut, and another slice of cheese. Top with the remaining soda bread, buttered side facing out.
4. Grill to perfection: Heat a cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwich in the pan and grill until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side, pressing lightly with a spatula.
5. Serve & devour: Let it rest for a minute, then slice in half and serve with your favorite bev.

To zest it up, you can add yellow mustard or Dijon.

I hope you take a few minutes to slow down and savor life. This Irish Reuben brought back all the right flavors: buttery crisp bread, rich corned beef, and that punchy, spicy dressing that makes you want just one more bite. Whether you share this fun lunch with someone special or just treat yourself (as you should!), I hope it reminds you that the best food is complex on the palate, and easy to prepare.

Cheers to another delicious Friday, amazing food, and living life one great bite at a time. Until next week ... eat well, love big, and make your moments unforgettable.

Bryan-David Scott