Portuguese “Francesinha”

The Francesinha (meaning ”Little Frenchie” in Portuguese) is Portugal’s decadent answer to the croque-madame.
It’s a huge meat-filled monster topped with egg and cheese, smothered in a beer-based sauce,
and always served with French fries.

 

Ingredients

Sandwich:
  • 2 slices of white bread
  • 2 slices of smoked ham
  • 4 slices of cheese
  • 1 grilled sausage
  • 1 fried or roasted slice of beef
  • 1 egg
Sauce:
  • 1 beer
  • 1 cube of chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp concentrated tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup brandy or Port
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • chilli flakes to taste
  • salt (if needed)

Method

Sauce:
  • Dissolve cornstarch into the milk and add all the ingredients. Blend the liquid mix on a food processor.
  • Put it into a pan over low heat and add the bay leaves. Stir it until it starts to boil. It’s ready – reserve.
Sandwich:
  • Assemble the sandwich and save 2 slices of cheese.
  • Put the sandwich on a plate and place the 2 slices of cheese on top.
  • Fry the egg and top the sandwich with it. Cover with the remaining cheese.
  • Pour the sauce over the sandwich (should be hot, so the cheese melts).

 

By: Dores Matos

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