The Reuben “Roll”, A Grill's Take On A Tasty Deli Sandwich

Just a few weeks back, we got a spankin' new, outdoor gas grill. Our old one had been on its last legs for a while now, and so we thought it best to put it out of its misery and send it off to “grill heaven” where it could frolic with other rusty-grated and barely-smoldering old-geezer grills.

The one we have now isn't a fancy-shmancy expensive behemoth (which I'll admit are pretty darned awesome if you have the space plus droves of family members/guests to feed—we don't), but it's new and gets the job done. It imparts that smoky flavor to the occasional steaks we like to enjoy, or to our more regular burgers and sausages.

And this is what summer eating's all about, isn't it? Grillin' up all that good stuff!

Since we love smoked sausage, and prefer it even more when it gets that wonderful charred flavor from an outdoor grill, I had this idea for a new way to “stuff-a-bun” by taking some elements from another favorite of ours, the reuben sandwich.

See where I'm going with this?

I have a lot of fun coming up with ways to surprise my hubby with twists on some of his favorite foods by combining certain ingredients to create a whole-new-yet-familiar recipe, especially one that brings grilling into the mix.

Smoky sausage goes together so very well with mildly tangy and salty sauerkraut, right? But then add some melty Swiss cheese and some light and creamy homemade Russian dressing, put it all on a pretzel bun, and you've got a reuben sandwich-meets-smoked-sausage-roll—a reuben “roll”!

Now doesn't that just call out for a cold, frosty beer? I'd say yes, indeed-y!

So whether you yourself are a “grill whisperer”, or someone else in your household is, this tasty summer recipe is one that I think'll spark an appetite in anyone who enjoys spending some time around those hot grates flipping and turning some type of glistening gloriousness that sputters and sizzles in the afternoon sun.

It's a grillin' guy's (or girl's) new best friend and the perfect recipe to keep in one's summertime arsenal of grilled goodies, just in case those hungry droves come a-lookin' for some grub!

Taste what's good and pass it on.

Ingrid

The “Reuben” Roll with Smoked Sausage, Sauerkraut, Homemade Russian Dressing and Melty Swiss on a Pretzel Roll
by Ingrid Beer

Print Recipe

Yield: Makes 4 Rolls

Ingredients:

• 4 polska kielbasa-style sausages
• Homemade Russian Dressing (recipe below)
• 4 pretzel rolls, split down the middle with “hinge” intact
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 1 cup sauerkraut

Preparation:

-Heat your outdoor grill until nice and hot (or you can even use an indoor grill pan, if you prefer); add the sausage and grill for a few minutes on all sides until nice and charred and smoky; set aside and keep warm.

-Turn off the grill, and place a foil-lined baking sheet onto the grates, and close the grill to keep it hot (you will need the heat to melt the cheese once the rolls are assembled).

-To assemble the “rolls”, generously spread some of the Homemade Russian Dressing onto both top's and bottom's of the toasted pretzel rolls, and add in the Swiss cheese; place the rolls onto the foil-lined baking sheet inside the grill, and close the grill to allow the cheese to melt in the residual heat; add the sausage, and top with about ¼ cup of the sauerkraut.

Homemade Russian Dressing Ingredients:

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon very finely minced onion
• 1 ½ tablespoons prepared horseradish sauce
• Dash or two hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish (optional)
• Pinch salt
• Pinch black pepper

Preparation:

-Add all ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk to combine; use immediately, or store in fridge in a covered container.