Francesinha with Fries

Description:

This famous sandwich recipe has many variations, but it always includes layers of meat, a special sauce, melted cheese and an egg.  It's a hearty and delicious tribute to the multicultural influences found in the city of Porto.

Serves: 1-2 people

Cook Time: 1 Hour

SAUCE INGREDIENTS:

1/4 Cup Bacon, minced

1/4 Cup Beer

1/4 Cup Dry White Wine

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

¼ Cup Whiskey

1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce

⅛ Cup Tomato Puree

1 ½ Cups Beef Broth

1 tsp Liquid Smoke

2 tsp Cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp of water

1 Onion, minced

1 Clove of Garlic

1 Tbsp Mustard

How To Make Sauce:

1. Make the sauce by adding the minced bacon to a large pot and heat until the bacon fat is rendered.
2. Add the onions and garlic and cook until onions become translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the beer, white wine, and whiskey and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the harshness of the alcohol smell is reduced.
4. Add the Olive Oil, Worcestershire Sauce, tomato puree, beef broth, liquid smoke, and mustard.  Mix all together.  Allow this to simmer for 10-15 minutes over low heat.
5. Add the slurry of cornstarch and water into the sauce and stir until it thickens.
6. Strain the sauce and discard the solid pieces.  Keep the sauce in a saucepan and save until the rest of the sandwich is assembled.

SANDWICH INGREDIENTS:

2 Links Chorizo Sausage, cut in half lengthwise

¼ Pound Veal Scallopini

¼ Pound Turkey Breast, thinly sliced

2-4 Slices Mortadella (Bologna)

4 Slices Pork Belly or Thick Bacon

8-10 Slices Cheese (Provolone /other melty cheese)

1-2 Eggs, cooked sunny side up

1-2 tsp Salt and Pepper

3 Slices White Bread

How To Make The Sandwich:

1. Prepare the meats by seasoning the veal and turkey with salt and pepper.
2. Cook the meats individually, beginning with the Pork Belly or Thick Cut Bacon. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side.  Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan with the bacon grease, cook the turkey for 2-3 minutes on each side or until fully cooked.  Remove and set aside.
4. Cook the chorizo sausage links in the same pan for 2-3 minutes on each side.  Remove and set aside.
5. Cook the Veal in the same pan for 2-3 minutes on each side.  Set aside. 
6. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
7. Assemble the sandwich by layering two of the three meats, interspersed with cheese, then adding the 2nd piece of bread, before adding the rest of the meats interspersed with cheese.  Add the last piece of bread and press down so that it stays together.
8. Place sandwich in an oven safe pan.
9. Layer the remaining cheese slices over the sandwich to cover the sides.
10. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes.
11. When the cheese is melted and all the meats are fully cooked, fry up one or two eggs, sunny side up and place on top of the sandwich.
12. Reheat the sauce before ladling a generous amount of sauce over the entire sandwich.
13. Cut sandwich in half and serve with french fries.