Tilapia Reuben Sandwich

Ok ... everyone is familiar with reubens ... and southerners know the grouper reuben which is very good. Well for some, grouper is very expensive and sometimes not always available. So here is my twist. This is a great double decker sandwich, still grilled with all the traditional flavors and a little twist. This sandwich is so big it is great as a main course or just cut in half and served with a side of soup. A creamy potato soup or any favorite would make this dinner.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4-8
• Yields: 4-8 full or half sandwiches

Ingredients

• 3  tilapia fillets
• 12  slices  pumpernickel bread (thin sliced, 3 per sandwich)
• 16  slices swiss cheese (very thin sliced, you need 4 per sandwich)
• 8  tablespoons  thousand island dressing (a good store bought brand is fine)

• Coating

• 1  cup flour
• 1  pinch cayenne
•  salt
•  pepper
• 2  tablespoons butter (1 tablespoon to grill the fish, 1 tablespoon to grill the sandwiches)

• Kraut

• 1 1⁄2 cups sauerkraut (a good store brand from the deli, fresh is better)
• 1  small red onion, cut in quarters and thin sliced
• 1  pinch caraway seed
• 1  teaspoon butter

Directions

1. Kraut -- Lets get the sauerkraut layer started. Add 1 teaspoon of the butter to a small saute pan and melt on medium high. Add the onions and caraway and cook until soft and slightly golden brown, Maybe 4-5 minutes. Add the sauerkraut (drained) and let simmer on medium low until every thing is combined and some of the liquid reduces.
2. Fish -- First the fish should be taken out of the fridge so they are close to room temperature Then in a pie pan or small dish add the flour, cayenne, salt and pepper. Dip the fish in the flour mixture and coat both sides, just to get a light coating. This is not a heavy crust, just a light crust is all.
3. Saute -- In a large saute pan, add 1 tablespoon of the butter and bring to medium high heat. Saute the fish until golden brown on each side. They will only take 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and let cool for just a minute or two.
4. Use a fork and lightly break up the fish, not flaked like canned tuna, just break it up lightly so it isn't "one whole piece" on the sandwich.
5. Sandwich -- Now build the sandwich, 1 slice of bread topped with thousand island dressing (go easy on the dressing), cheese, fish, then top with a couple of spoons of the sauerkraut and onions. Next, a slice of cheese and bread with thousand island spread on the inside, then repeat. Topped with more thousand island (again go easy), cheese, fish, sauerkraut, cheese and the final bread for the top.
6. Remember this is a double decker sandwich so don't make the layers too thick.
7. Grill -- In a saute pan or grill pan. Spread the outside top and bottom with a light "smear" of butter and grill on medium to medium low to toast the outside and get nice and golden brown. As they grill I like to cover so the cheese melts. Use a large lid or just a piece of foil will work fine, just don't grill on high, let it go slowly. Cut these in half and serve 1/2 per person they are big and delish!