Along with Rachel Greens meat trifle, the Moist Maker is one of the most iconic foods from beloved sitcom “Friends.”
So great is the leftover Thanksgiving turkey sandwich, made by Monica Geller for her brother Ross, that he said it was the only good thing going on in his life.
And having now made and eaten my own version of the sandwich, I can completely understand Ross rage upon discovering that not only did his boss eat his sandwich, but he threw some of it away.
An official “Friends” cookbook full of recipes both from and inspired by the hit series is set to be published on September 22, but I decided to try my hand at some of the recipes in advance. Advertisement
And the Moist Maker sandwich, with its extra slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle, was even tastier than Id expected.
Essentially, its a Christmas dinner leftovers sandwich. Theyre are a big deal here in the UK, available in every cafe and food store from November, and I love them. Id actually never made my own though — but I certainly will be making the Moist Maker again. Advertisement
The Ross Geller turkey sandwich is one of the most iconic sandwiches from the hit 90s sitcom Friends. This delicious sandwich was featured in the episode “The One with Ross’s Sandwich” in Season 5, where Ross becomes distraught after someone at work eats his leftover Thanksgiving sandwich. The sandwich became so popular that it’s been recreated by fans and restaurants over the years. Here’s a closer look at the history and recipe for this famous TV sandwich.
A Sandwich Worth Fighting For
In the episode, Ross brings a leftover turkey sandwich to work after Thanksgiving, carefully crafted by his sister Monica with her secret “moist maker” ingredient – an extra slice of gravy-soaked bread in the middle. This sandwich is so good that when Ross discovers a coworker ate it he has an epic meltdown, exclaiming “You ate my sandwich? MY SANDWICH? MY SANDWICH!”
It’s easy to see why Ross felt so outraged This sandwich contains the perfect blend of Thanksgiving leftovers between two slices of bread It has tender turkey, savory stuffing, sweet cranberry sauce, and that moist maker slice of bread soaked in turkey gravy. The combination of flavors and textures is truly sublime. No wonder Ross lost it when his sandwich disappeared.
The Moist Maker is the Key
So what exactly is the moist maker? This iconic sandwich layer is a slice of bread placed in the middle of the sandwich that has been dipped in gravy or broth. As Monica explains, “It adds flavor and keeps the sandwich moist.” The gravy-soaked bread absorbs all the delicious juices while also preventing the bread from getting dried out.
This moist maker layer is what takes this sandwich to the next level, making it extra juicy and flavortown. It’s an ingenious yet simple trick that any Thanksgiving leftover sandwich needs. While you can use any type of bread, a crusty artisanal loaf works best to really soak up all that savory gravy.
Recreating the Iconic Sandwich
Thanks to its fame, the Ross Geller turkey sandwich has been recreated countless times by fans and restaurants wanting to pay homage. There are many variations on the recipe, but the key is to include all those classic Thanksgiving flavors. Here is one way to make it:
Ingredients
- Sliced bread
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Cranberry sauce
- Gravy
- Lettuce
- Mayonnaise
- Extra slice of bread
Steps:
- Soak extra slice of bread in gravy to make the moist maker.
- Spread mayo on slices of bread. Add lettuce.
- Layer turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and moist maker on bread.
- Top with another slice of bread.
- Slice sandwich and enjoy!
The great thing about this sandwich is you can customize it with your favorite ingredients. Feel free to add avocado, bacon, cheese, or anything you like!
Why We Love the Ross Sandwich
More than just an amazing sandwich, the Ross Geller turkey sandwich represents comfort food at its finest. It brings together the best parts of a Thanksgiving meal into a handheld package you can savor anytime. It’s also a reminder of the simpler times of hanging out with friends around the TV.
This sandwich is worth fighting coworkers over not just because of its incredible flavor, but for the nostalgia it brings. We love how a humble leftover sandwich can be so iconic and bring so much joy. Here’s to celebrating the sandwiches that are so good, no one can resist eating them!
The first step is to spread an optional layer of mayonnaise over your first slice of bread. As far as I’m concerned, mayo is not optional, so on it went.
Next up, romaine lettuce.
“My sandwich? MY SANDWICH!” | Friends
FAQ
What does Ross call his Thanksgiving sandwich?
What did Ross put on his sandwich?
What episode does Ross say my sandwich?
What episode of Friends is the Thanksgiving sandwich?
Does Ross Geller make a sandwich?
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How do you make a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce?
To build the sandwich, spread cranberry sauce on one side of your two end bread slices. Add half of your greens and turkey to one side of each slice. With your third slice of bread, coat it with your turkey gravy—this is what Ross and Monica call “the moist maker” that’s strategically placed in the middle of the sandwich.
Can you add gravy to a turkey sandwich?
Once the slice is soaked in the gravy, add it to your sandwich before topping it off with the rest of your turkey, greens and bread. Yes, that’s all it takes!
Does Ross forgive a co-worker who accidentally ate his sandwich?
While the episode provides plenty of humor, it also highlights Ross’s attachment to the sandwich and the lengths to which he’ll go to protect his food. Ultimately, Ross forgives the co-worker who accidentally ate his sandwich, and the episode serves as a memorable and comedic moment in the series.