INGREDIENTS:

10 (ozs.) Deli thin sliced Corned Beef or Pastrami (original recipe used Corned Beef) Pastrami is delicious also!
3 slices Swiss Cheese
4 tablespoons Thousand Island Dressing
4 slices Jewish Rye Bread New York Style or Russian Rye Bread
4 teaspoons Margarine or Butter at room temperature
1/2 cup Bavarian style sauerkraut (well drained)

Note: Squeeze sauerkraut out in a paper towel to remove excess moisture

Lay 4 slices of rye bread out and evenly divide the corned beef onto each slice of bread.  Add 1 and 1/2 slices of Swiss cheese on one piece of bread for each sandwich.  Spread 1/4 cup of drained sauerkraut on top of the Swiss cheese.  Add 2 tablespoons of Thousand Island Dressing on top of sauerkraut and place other half of sandwich on top of the half with the corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and Thousand Island Dressing.  Evenly spread softened  margarine or butter on the top of each sandwich to the edges of the bread.  Heat a large skillet on medium to low heat with the balance of the margarine or butter and grill sandwich until golden brown and turn sandwich with the aid of a spatula and grill other side until golden brown and crisp.  Do not change the sequence of assembling  this sandwich otherwise the sandwich can get soggy if you place the Thousand Island Dressing next to the bread.  This was a tip I received from Ms. Loretta Greene at our Correctional Facility who has been making Reuben sandwich for decades.  Note:  You can apply pressure with the spatula to the sandwiches while grilling to help melt the Swiss cheese and get an even golden brown color.

There is much controversy over the origin of the Reuben sandwich and you can go to  Reuben sandwich and read different ones claiming to be the originators of this outstanding sandwich but it really doesn't matter to me.  I had my first Reuben sandwich while in the US Navy back in the mid 1960's and it is still one of my favorite sandwiches along with a Pastrami on rye bread with mustard.   I now leave off the Heineken beer...grin if you must.