Portuguese Sandwich Recipes

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.

PORTUGUESE GARLIC STEAK SANDWICHES (PREGO NO PAO)

Steps:

• Lay out steaks on a work surface and to be traditional,"nail" the garlic slices into the steak on both sides (about a clove per steak, more if you like).
• If this isn't your style, just push the garlic slices in with your finger.
• In about 1-1/2 tablespoons of butter, fry each steak for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once.
• Remove to a dish and reserve.
• To the skillet add the other 1-1/2 tablespoon butter and the sliced onion.
• Saute until onion is golden, then transfer onions to the same dish as the steaks and reserve.
• Pour the red wine into the skillet used to cook the steaks and onions; scrape up the browned bits and simmer over medium-high heat until liquid is reduced by about half (this doesn't take too long--).
• Return the steaks and onions to this skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook another minute on both sides of steaks, until warmed through.
• Serve steaks and onions on warmed crusty sandwich rolls.

PORTUGUESE SAUSAGE SANDWICHES WITH PEPPERS, ONIONS, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Add peppers and sauté until lightly browned, about 6 minutes. Sprinkle mixture with sugar and paprika and sauté 1 minute. Using slotted spoon, transfer mixture to plate; leave drippings in skillet.
• Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to drippings in skillet. Add sausage and cook over medium heat until browned and heated through, turning occasionally, about 5 minutes. Transfer sausage to plate with pepper mixture.
• Add wine to skillet; boil until reduced by half, scraping up browned bits, about 3 minutes. Return sausage and pepper mixture to skillet; stir in olives. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Place baguette quarters on each of 4 plates; fill with sausage mixture, spooning juices over each, and serve.