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Francesinha Recipe

Francesinha

This hearty Portuguese sandwich features layers of savory meats topped with melted cheese and a rich, spiced beer sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Portuguese
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

Sauce and Meat Filling

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 onion finely chopped
  • 11 ounces minute steak sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 linguiça sausage sliced
  • 1 cooking chorizo sausage sliced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 12 ounces beer
  • 8 ounces canned chopped tomatoes
  • 1 dash hot chili sauce
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Assembly

  • 4 slices sturdy white bread
  • 2 slices cooked ham
  • 4 thin slices Swiss cheese

Instructions
 

  • Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook the onion until it is soft and translucent.
  • Add the steak, linguiça, and chorizo to the skillet and sear until the meat is browned and the sausages are slightly crisp.
  • Remove the meat from the pan with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate.
  • Pour the beer, tomatoes, sugar, and hot sauce into the same skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  • Simmer the sauce uncovered for 25 minutes until it reduces slightly, then season with salt and pepper to your preference.
  • Whisk the cornstarch with a small splash of cold water in a separate bowl, then stir this mixture into the sauce and cook for 2 minutes until it thickens.
  • Preheat your oven to 400°F.
  • Assemble the sandwiches by placing two bread slices in a baking dish, topping them with the cooked meat mixture and a slice of ham, then closing them with the remaining bread slices.
  • Drape the cheese slices over the top of each sandwich and pour the hot sauce generously over the entire assembly.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling around the edges before serving.
Keyword Francesinha