# How a Pro Chef Makes NYC Deli-Inspired Egg Rolls | The Special | Bon Appétit

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-koH49RxF4
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/X-koH49RxF4
Generated: 2025-11-11T14:01:06.147+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Chef Jackie Carnesi from Kellogg's Diner successfully creates a Reuben-inspired egg roll using a rye flour wrapper, which results in a crispy exterior and a flavorful, balanced filling that mimics the classic deli sandwich.

**Key Points:**
- Jackie Carnesi, Chef at Kellogg's Diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, recreates the Reuben sandwich as an egg roll using a rye flour wrapper.
- The rye flour wrapper, selected for its distinct woody, nutty flavor, is rolled thin (1/8th of an inch) and fried at 3750F for 3-4 minutes to achieve a crispy, bubbly exterior.
- The filling combines brisket (cured for 5-7 days with salt, sugar, pepper corns, bay leaf, and mustard seed), Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing.
- Key elements for success include keeping the filling mixture homogeneous and ensuring the filling is not too wet to maintain structural integrity during frying.
- The accompanying dipping sauce is an Avocado Ranch made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, Maggi seasoning (as an umami enhancer instead of traditional Worcestershire sauce), and horseradish for brightness.
- Carnesi emphasizes the importance of balancing the richness of the brisket and cheese with the acidity of the sauerkraut and the brightness of the sauce for a perfect bite.

![Screenshot at 01:00: A side-by-side comparison of the finished Reuben egg roll \(left, with corn/bean filling\) and the Southwestern egg roll \(right, with corned beef filling\), illustrating the culinary transformation being discussed.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-01-00.png)

**Context:** The video features Chef Jackie Carnesi of Kellogg's Diner, a 97-year-old diner in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, as she demonstrates how to transform the flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich into an appetizer format: an egg roll. She contrasts her version with the original Chili's Southwestern Egg Rolls, focusing on achieving the right texture and flavor balance for her unique creation, which utilizes a homemade rye flour wrapper.

## Detailed Analysis

Chef Jackie Carnesi from Kellogg's Diner details her process for creating a Reuben-inspired egg roll, contrasting it with the flavor profile of the original Chili's Southwestern Egg Roll. The recipe begins with curing brisket for 5-7 days in a brine containing water, salt, sugar, pepper corns, bay leaf, and mustard seed to achieve the signature pink color and tender texture. After cooking the brisket low and slow, the meat is chopped and mixed with diced Swiss cheese, sauerkraut (which is squeezed dry to prevent sogginess), and Russian dressing to create the filling. For the wrapper, Carnesi uses a rye flour dough, intentionally skipping the sifting process to retain texture and flavor. She rolls the dough thin (1/8th inch) and rolls the filling tightly, sealing the edges with water to ensure structural integrity during frying. The final product is deep-fried at 3750F for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. The accompanying dipping sauce is a modified Avocado Ranch, featuring mayonnaise, lemon juice, Maggi seasoning for umami depth, and horseradish for brightness, replacing the traditional Worcestershire sauce found in standard Russian dressing. Carnesi concludes that the final product successfully balances the richness of the meat and cheese with the acidity of the kraut and the crispiness of the rye wrapper.

### The Reuben Filling Components

- Chopped cured brisket (brined for 5-7 days)
- Diced Swiss cheese
- Sauerkraut (squeezed dry)
- Russian dressing

### Rye Wrapper Preparation

- Dough made with rye flour for a woody/nutty flavor
- Rolled 1/8th inch thick
- Sealed edges using water to ensure structural integrity

### Cooking Process

- Fried in oil at 3750F for 3-4 minutes until crispy and bubbly
- Frying temperature must be correct to avoid soggy exterior

### The Dipping Sauce

- Avocado Ranch base using mayonnaise
- Elements include lemon juice, Maggi seasoning (umami substitute for Worcestershire), and horseradish for brightness

### Assembly and Final Product

- Filling is compacted before rolling to ensure a solid structure
- Final result is compared to the original Southwestern Egg Roll, showing superior texture and flavor balance

![Screenshot at 00:04: Title card announcing "THE SPECIAL CHILI'S SOUTHWESTERN EGGROLLS".](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-00-04.png)
![Screenshot at 00:07: Chef Jackie Carnesi standing behind the counter at Kellogg's Diner, presenting the Southwestern Egg Rolls.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-00-07.png)
![Screenshot at 00:28: Side-by-side visual comparison of the Southwestern Egg Roll \(left\) and the Reuben Egg Roll \(right\) fillings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-00-28.png)
![Screenshot at 02:25: Chef Carnesi pouring the cooled brine \(water, sugar, salt, spices\) over the brisket in a large plastic container.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-02-25.png)
![Screenshot at 03:56: The cured brisket, after 3 hours of cooking, is shown being sliced, displaying its characteristic pink interior.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-03-56.png)
![Screenshot at 05:04: Mixing the Reuben filling ingredients—chopped corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing—in a large metal bowl.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-05-04.png)
![Screenshot at 07:19: Chef Carnesi measuring rye flour into the mixing bowl, highlighting the choice of rye over all-purpose flour for flavor.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-07-19.png)
![Screenshot at 09:13: Split screen comparing the Southwestern Egg Roll filling \(left\) and the Reuben filling \(right\) side-by-side.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-09-13.png)
![Screenshot at 13:14: A close-up shot of the finished Reuben egg roll showing the extremely crispy, bubbly, golden-brown fried exterior.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/X-koH49RxF4/00-13-14.png)