Family-style reindeer baguette

Instructions

1. 1

   Mix the mayonnaise and BBQ sauce together in a bowl.

2. 2

   Season with salt to taste and set it aside.

3. 3

   Heat the oven to 160 °C for the baguette, then start the onion.

4. 4

   Pour 2 tablespoons of oil into a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, add the onion with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until soft and caramelised. Set it aside.

5. 5

   Split the baguette lengthways and lay both halves cut side up on baking paper.

6. 6

   Spread a tablespoon of butter on each half and lay the cheese slices over one side. Toast until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

7. 7

   While the bread toasts, melt the rest of the butter in the skillet.

8. 8

   Season the reindeer with black pepper and kosher salt, then sear it quickly over medium-high heat until mostly browned, about 2 minutes. Take it off the heat and fold the caramelised onion through.

9. 9

   Spoon the hot meat over the cheesy half of the baguette.

10. 10

    Trickle a little of the pan juices over it, add more cheese if you like, then the salad leaves and a good spoonful of sauce. Close it with the other half and serve straight away, with a fresh salad.

11. 11

    A few things worth knowing:

12. 12

    Don't overcook Juhlakäristys made from reindeer roast,

13. 13

    it loses its delicate flavour.

14. 14

    Use a cast-iron pan so the heat stays even;

15. 15

    it's exactly what you want for a hard, fast sear. Get the meat out of the pan promptly, though, because cast iron holds its heat.

16. 16

    Unlike an aluminium pan, it keeps a steady temperature even when cold ingredients hit it.