Reuben Sandwiches

St. Patty's Day calls for corned beef. We had Reuben sandwiches for lunch today (leftovers from Friday's dinner.) I meant to take a picture of it before we ate...but forgot.

Never had a Reuben? Here's how to make it:

slices of pumpernickel bread
slices of corned beef
smother with sauerkraut (drained)
topped with Swiss cheese

Broil in the toaster oven till cheese is golden.

I prefer mine with Thousand Island. Hubby doesn't.

A few years ago, I found a super easy recipe for pumpernickel bread from Southern Living. Their recipes are almost always delicious and fail proof. Even if you've never made bread before, this one is totally do-able.

Pumpernickel Bread (from Southern Living - Nov. '02)
1 3/4 cup warm water (100-110 degrees - which is a bit warmer than your skin)
1 pkg highly active dry yeast
2 T sugar
2 T instant coffee granules
1/4 c molasses
4 1/2 c bread flour (I usually substitute 2 c. with whole wheat)
1 c rye flour (buy this from the "bulk section" of a natural food type store)
2 t salt

PREHEAT oven to 200. Stir together first 3 ingredients in the mixing bowl of a heavy duty electric stand mixer. Let stand 5 minutes.

ADD coffee and next 4 ingredients to yeast mixture. Beat at low speed with dough hook attachment for 1 minute or until soft dough comes together. Beat at medium speed 4 minutes. (Dough will be slightly sticky)

TURN dough out onto a lightly floured surface; shape dough into a 9x5-inch oval loaf. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet; coat lightly with cooking spray, and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Turn oven off, and place loaf in oven. Let rise 30 minutes or until loaf is doubled in bulk. Remove loaf from oven. Remove and discard plastic wrap. Preheat oven to 375.

BAKE bread for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven, and brush with a bit of melted butter. Cool on wire rack.

GERMAN-STYLE PUMPERNICKEL ROLLS (makes 25 rolls):
Pat dough into 10-inch square (1/2 inch thick). Cut into 2-inch squares. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Proceed with recipe as directed. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned.

GERMAN-STYLE PUMPERNICKEL ROLLS with Caraway:
Follow instructions from above, adding 1 T caraway seeds. Proceed as directed.