The Moist Maker, a legendary sandwich from the TV show Friends, is a celebration of Thanksgiving leftovers. This version, the Moist Maker 2.0, takes inspiration from the original but elevates it with unique ingredients and thoughtful layering.
Instead of a plain slice of bread as the “moist maker,” this sandwich features a flavorful, homemade stuffing. This stuffing isn’t your average Thanksgiving side dish; it’s a bread-based creation packed with butter, seasonings, and a secret ingredient: chicken bouillon.
To begin the stuffing, a loaf of white bread is cubed and set aside. Then, a stick of butter is melted in a pan, followed by chicken bouillon, chopped onion, celery, and carrot. These vegetables are sautéed until softened and translucent.
Meanwhile, milk and eggs are whisked together in a separate bowl, forming the binding agent for the stuffing. Once the vegetables are tender, fresh sage, thyme, salt, and pepper are added to the pan.
The butter-vegetable mixture is then poured over the bread cubes, ensuring they absorb all the flavor. Half of the egg-milk mixture is added, and the bread is mixed by hand until it becomes slightly soggy but not overly saturated.
The stuffing mixture is then transferred to a loaf pan, shaped, and baked until golden brown and cooked through. Allowing the stuffing to cool slightly, or even chilling it completely, makes it easier to slice and assemble the sandwich.
The Moist Maker 2.0 also incorporates a vibrant brussels sprouts salad, adding a refreshing element to the richness of the sandwich. Thinly sliced brussels sprouts are tossed with a homemade dressing of mayonnaise, lemon juice, fresh thyme, parsley, sage, garlic, and black pepper.
The other components are classic Thanksgiving leftovers: turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce. To assemble the sandwich, white bread is toasted on one side for a crispy interior and soft exterior. The stuffing is also toasted and generously soaked in gravy just before serving.
The layering is strategic: toasted bread, dressed brussels sprouts, thinly sliced turkey breast, cranberry sauce, and finally, the gravy-soaked stuffing. More turkey, brussels sprouts, and cranberry sauce are added, followed by the other slice of toasted bread, cranberry side down.
This creates a substantial, flavor-packed sandwich. Wrapping it tightly helps meld the flavors and allows for easier slicing. The result is a delicious combination of textures and tastes, a true homage to Thanksgiving flavors with a creative twist.
