Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
  • 1/2 pound baby portabella mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage leaves, thinly sliced, or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried sage
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 1-pound package sauerkraut, rinsed and drained
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, 6 ounces each
  • McCormick Montreal Steak Seasoning or other grill seasoning blend
  • 1 tablespoon EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons dill relish
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried dill
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
  • 8 slices marble rye, rye, or pumpernickel bread
  • 8 slices Gruyere or deli Swiss cheese
  • 4 large deli pickles
  • 1 bunch of radishes, halved and salted

Method

  • In a small skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat, add the mushrooms, and raise the heat a bit.
  • Cook the mushrooms for 8 to 10 minutes until tender and dark.
  • Add the sage midway through the cooking time.
  • Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper after theyre dark and tender, as salt slows the browning by drawing out liquids.
  • Meanwhile, in a second small skillet over medium heat melt another tablespoon of butter.
  • Add the onions, season with salt and pepper, and cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Stir in the sauerkraut, warm through, and turn off the heat.
  • While the onions cook, heat a cast-iron pan or griddle to medium-high heat.
  • Season the chicken liberally with Montreal Steak Seasoning.
  • Add the EVOO to the pan or griddle and cook the chicken, turning once, for 12 minutes, or until done.
  • Remove from the heat and wipe down the skillet or griddle, and lower the heat to medium-low.
  • Slice the chicken thin on an angle.
  • While the chicken cooks, stir the sour cream, relish, and ketchup together in a small bowl and season with the fresh herbs.
  • Lightly butter one side of the slices of bread with the remaining tablespoon of butter.
  • Build the sandwiches with buttered sides facing out, in this order: dressing, cheese, mushrooms, sliced chicken, sauerkraut with onions, cheese, and ending with the dressing to set in place.
  • Grill the sandwiches for about 3 minutes on each side.
  • Serve with the pickles and salted radishes.