Debbies Famous Italian Beef Food

PORTILLO'S ITALIAN BEEF HACK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Render the beef fat by chopping it into small bits (about the size of peas) with a food processor. Be sure the fat is very cold--it will chop better. If you don't have a food processor, you can chop the fat by hand. Use a sharp knife and cut it as small as you can. Heat up the fat in a sauté pan over medium heat until the bits are browned. Strain the solids from the fat and measure 1/4 cup of fat for the gravy.
• Make the beef gravy by combining all of the ingredients, including the beef fat, in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the mixture begins to boil reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then turn the heat to low.
• Make the sandwiches by heating up the rolls in the hot oven for 3 minutes.
• For each sandwich, drop 1/4 pound of sliced beef (separate the slices) into the gravy for 2 minutes. Make sure the gravy isn't boiling. It should be around 180 degrees F. After the beef has soaked in the gravy, use tongs to arrange the beef on a warmed sandwich roll and top with your choice of hot giardiniera or sweet peppers. Or both. Spoon on some extra gravy just before serving.

CHICAGO ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH

Steps:

• Rub meat with dry ingredients, cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
• Add meat to a roasting pan with bacon fat, add onions and garlic, saute for 15 minutes, deglaze with wine, and add Worcestershire sauce, beef stock and bay leaves.
• Place roasting pan in the oven and cook for 3 hours, uncovered, or until an instant-read thermometer registers 135 degrees F in center. Remove, let cool, then slice very thin.
• Cool broth in roasting pan and remove the fat that rises to the top. Strain.
• Reheat the broth, and add the sliced meat. Place some meat on each toasted roll, ladle with some broth and top with giardiniera vegetables and red peppers.

ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES

Steps:

• For the giardiniera: Combine the carrots, pepperoncini, jalapeños, roasted red peppers, olive oil, pepperoncini liquid, garlic powder and pepper in a bowl. Toss well, then set aside.
• For the beef: Remove the sirloin from the freezer and, using a mandoline or a sharp knife, cut into very thin strips against the grain. Sprinkle the meat with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saute pan. Add the beef and sauté until starting to brown, but still pink, about 2 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and garlic, then cook for 30 seconds. Add the broth and vinegar, then bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat.
• Place 3 slices of provolone on each roll. Top with the hot beef. Sprinkle with some of the giardiniera. Serve with extra broth on the side for dipping.

DEBBIE'S FAMOUS ITALIAN BEEF

Steps:

• Cut the meat into small cubes.
• Place the meat, bouillon granules, the finely chopped hot peppers, and garlic salt in the crock pot.
• Prepare the salad dressing as directed on the package (the amount of vinegar, water and oil may vary depending on the brand you use).
• Pour the salad dressing over the meat.
• Add enough water to cover the beef; stir to blend.
• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Remove the beef from the broth placing it in a glass mixing bowl. Shred the beef with a fork and knife.
• Put the shredded beef back in the crock pot so it keeps warm and serve with the broth. Additional hot peppers can be served on the side for those that like it hotter.

DEBBIE'S GROUND BEEF

Steps:

• Season Beef with Salt, Pepper, Garlic and Onion poweder.
• Brown beef in large skillet.
• Add diced onion and cook till translucent.
• Add water, bbq sauce and ketchup and cook for 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat.
• Serve over noodles, pasta or as a main course with potatoes or rice.
• Also works well as a sloppy joe.

DEBBIE'S MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients lightly. Form into 1 1/2" balls. Place on cookie sheet & spray tops lightly with cooking oil. Bake for 20 minutes.