Francesinhas Food

FRANCESINHA (SUPER INDULGENT PORTUGUESE SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Make the sauce first by dissolving the cornstarch into the milk.
• Add all the other sauce ingredients and blend in food processor.
• Put it into a pan over low heat and add the bay leaf .
• Stir it until it starts to boil, remove bay leaf and then set aside.
• Assemble the sandwich saving 2 slices of cheese.
• Put the sandwich on a plate or shallow bowl and place the 2 slices of cheese on top.
• Pour the sauce over the sandwich (should be hot, so the cheese melts).
• Eat -- you may want a bib.

FRANCESINHAS

Steps:

• Fry the onions in the olive oil until translucent. Add the water, bay leaves and meats. Sauté the beef, sausage and ham for about 2 minutes each side.
• When the meats are done, transfer to a dish and remove the bay leaves from the pan. Puree the remaining contents of the pan. Return the pan to the heat
• Using the beer,dissolve the flour and tomato paste into a cup, followed by the whisky or brandy, salt, hot sauce. Mix thoroughly, add to the pan and bring to a simmer.
• Place 1 slice of bread on a plate or small bowl. Top it with the beef slices, sausage,sliced lengthwise followed with a scrambled egg if using. Add the top slice of bread followed by placing the slices of cheese on top and on the sides. If you prefer a poached egg, add it on top of the last slice of bread.
• Spoon the very hot sauce over the top and sides of the sandwich, melting the cheese. Serve immediately. You will need a fork and knife.

FRANCESINHA

Steps:

• Sandwich filling: Cut the sausages lengthwise and season with salt and pepper. Season the steaks as well. Grill the sausages first and then the steaks so they stay medium rare.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Chop the onions and the garlic and let them sizzle on the pan with some butter, olive oil, the bay leaves, and bacon. Add the tomato passata and the chillies and bring to a fast simmer. Add the booze if you're using any and the stock, and simmer for 10-20 minutes. Mix the milk and flour with a fork and add it to the sauce to thicken it. Remove the bay leaves and blend with a stick blender until the sauce is smooth.
• Start shaping the francesinha: first a slice of bread, then one slice of cheese, one of ham/salami, the steak, the sausages; layering between the two sandwiches until the meat is used up between them and you have a sandwich. Cover all of the sandwiches with the remaining sliced cheese and bung in the oven or grill until it melts.
• Once the cheese is melted, fry the eggs and top the sandwiches with them and pour the hot sauce over and around. Serve with fries.