Portuguese Francesinha Sandwich
A Porto-style sandwich layered with steak, ham, sausage, melted cheese, and a rich tomato-beer sauce, served with fries.
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Medium saucepan
- Baking sheet
- Chef's knife
- Blender or immersion blender
Ingredients
Sandwiches
- 8 slices thick white sandwich bread
- 1 lb thin beef steaks
- 8 slices deli ham
- 8 oz linguiça or smoked sausage sliced lengthwise
- 8 slices mild melting cheese
- 2 tbsp butter for cooking
Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup beef stock
- 1 cup lager beer
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce more or less to taste
- 1 bay leaf
To Serve
- 4 large eggs fried, optional
- 4 cups French fries hot
Instructions
Make the Sauce:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, stock, beer, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, and bay leaf. Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the bay leaf and blend the sauce until smooth. Keep warm over low heat.
Cook the Fillings:
- Toast the bread lightly and set it on a baking sheet. Heat a skillet with a little butter and sear the steaks until browned and just cooked through.
- Brown the sliced sausage in the same skillet.
Assemble and Finish:
- Place two slices of toast on each plate. Layer on steak, ham, and sausage, then top with the remaining toast and cover with cheese.
- Spoon hot sauce over each sandwich and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts. Top with a fried egg if using and serve with fries.
Notes
- Use a mild melting cheese that drapes over the whole sandwich.
- Blend the sauce for a smooth café-style finish.
- Keep the sauce warm but do not boil it after blending.
Nutrition
Calories: 920kcalCarbohydrates: 74gProtein: 51gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 250mgSodium: 1900mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10g