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A traditional francesinha sandwich from Portugal, served smothered with beer sauce and topped with a fried egg and melted cheese.

Portuguese Smothered Francesinha Sandwich Recipe

Carne Diem Culinary
Loaded with assorted meats and topped with a rich beer and port wine sauce this smothered Portuguese francesinha sandwich is a carnivore's delight.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine European, Portuguese
Servings 4 Sandwiches
Calories 1005 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 links Linguica Sausage
  • 2 links Smoked Sausage
  • 4 Slices Ham
  • 4 Thin Steaks
  • 8 slices Gouda, Edam or other cheese
  • 4 Eggs
  • 8 Slices Bread Toasted

Sauce

  • 12 Ounce Beer
  • 4 Ounce Port Wine
  • 1 Cup Beef Stock or Broth
  • 2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • ½ Onion
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Hot Sauce
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

Cornstarch Slurry

  • Cup Cold Water
  • 3 Tablespoons Cornstarch

Instructions
 

  • Gather and prep your ingredients. Cook the raw meats like the sausage and steak and keep warm until needed for the sandwich. Fry the eggs.
  • Cut the sausages into bread length pieces, then slice lengthwise.
  • Toast the bread slices.

Make the Sauce

  • Heat a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan or small pot over medium heat.  Add the diced onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes, then add in the minced cloves of garlic and cook for about 2 more minutes.
  • Stir in the beer, fortified wine, beef broth, bay leaf, tomato paste, Peri Peri sauce or hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and remove the Bay leaves.  If desired, for a smoother sauce, blend with an immersion blender.
  • Once smooth, return the pan to the stove and simmer for 15 more minutes.  If needed, thicken with a cornstarch slurry or your favorite thickening agent. Taste and season with salt and pepper as desired. Keep at a simmer while you layer the sandwich.

Layer the Sandwich

  • Place 1 slice of toasted bread in the center of 4 plates. Top with 2 slices each of the sausages.
  • Next, top with the ham and steak. Top with the remaining slice of bread.
  • Top each sandwich with a fried egg and cheese. If desired briefly heat the sandwiches under a broiler to melt the cheese or proceed to topping with the hot beer sauce.
  • Serve hot with a fork and knife.

Nutrition

Calories: 1005kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 75gFat: 63gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 403mgSodium: 1313mgPotassium: 1118mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 912IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 488mgIron: 6mg
Keyword beer, Ham, Sandwich, Sausage, steak
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