Best 2 Francesinha Super Indulgent Portuguese Sandwich Recipes

Discover the rich flavors of Portugal with the ultimate guide to making the "Francesinha" - a super indulgent sandwich that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. With its layers of succulent meats, melted cheese, a secret sauce, and a fried egg, this iconic dish is a true culinary masterpiece. This article will take you on a culinary journey, providing step-by-step instructions, expert tips, and the history behind this beloved Portuguese sandwich. Get ready to indulge in a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

FRANCESINHA (SUPER INDULGENT PORTUGUESE SANDWICH)

Francesinha (Super Indulgent Portuguese Sandwich) image

This looks very yummy but certainly not one for the diet! Apparently, it is the Portuguese take on the French croque-monsieur.

Provided by Sarah_Jayne

Categories Lunch/Snacks

Time 15m

Yield 1 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

2 slices white bread
2 slices smoked ham
4 slices cheese, something melty like a dutch cheese
1 cooked sausage, sliced, something along the lines of chorizo
1 slice roast beef
1 beer
1 chicken stock cube
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons concentrated tomato paste
1/4 cup brandy or 1/4 cup port wine
1/4 cup milk
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 bay leaf
chili flakes, to taste
salt, to taste

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.

FRANCESINHA

Francesinha image

Like a Portuguese version of a Croque Monsieur, only with far more meat and a tomatoey, beery sauce which you can spice up with some chilli, if preferred. Belly busting and described as a 'heart attack on a plate', this is a food that is local to Porto and made in a few different ways. I had it at the St Johns Festival and it was amazing and is a local speciality in Porto.

Provided by dysfcuktional

Time 50m

Yield Serves 2

Number Of Ingredients 27

Ingredients

2 fresh sausages
2 fresh smoked sausages
2 thin steaks
4 slices bread (stale is perfect)
10 slices any preferred melty cheese
4 slices ham or preferred salami
2 eggs
2 fresh sausages
2 fresh smoked sausages
2 thin steaks
4 slices bread (stale is perfect)
10 slices any preferred melty cheese
4 slices ham or preferred salami
2 eggs
2 chopped onions 2 bay leaves Some pork fat or bacon 500 ml tomato passata 1 fresh chilli or chilli flakes 1x 330 ml bottles beer - your preference 175 ml white wine (optional) splash brandy (option
4 crushed cloves garlic
2 oz butter
2 Tbsps OO
2 bay leaves
Some pork fat or bacon
500 ml tomato passata
1 fresh chilli or chilli flakes
1x 330 ml bottles beer - your preference
175 ml white wine (optional)
Splash brandy and port (optional)
500 ml beef or chicken stock
milk and flour for thickening

Steps:

Sandwich filling: Cut the sausages lengthwise and season with salt and pepper. Season the steaks as well. Grill the sausages first and then the steaks so they stay medium rare.
Meanwhile, make the sauce: Chop the onions and the garlic and let them sizzle on the pan with some butter, olive oil, the bay leaves, and bacon. Add the tomato passata and the chillies and bring to a fast simmer. Add the booze if you're using any and the stock, and simmer for 10-20 minutes. Mix the milk and flour with a fork and add it to the sauce to thicken it. Remove the bay leaves and blend with a stick blender until the sauce is smooth.
Start shaping the francesinha: first a slice of bread, then one slice of cheese, one of ham/salami, the steak, the sausages; layering between the two sandwiches until the meat is used up between them and you have a sandwich. Cover all of the sandwiches with the remaining sliced cheese and bung in the oven or grill until it melts.
Once the cheese is melted, fry the eggs and top the sandwiches with them and pour the hot sauce over and around. Serve with fries.

Tips:

Use the best quality ingredients you can find. This will make a big difference in the taste of your Francesinha.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of bread. A traditional Francesinha is made with a white bread roll, but you can also use a sourdough bread or a whole wheat bread.
Make sure to cook the meat until it is tender. The meat should be cooked through, but not overcooked, or it will become dry and tough.
Don't skimp on the cheese. Cheese is one of the key ingredients in a Francesinha. Use a good quality cheese that will melt well.
Be generous with the sauce. The sauce is what makes a Francesinha so special. Use a lot of sauce so that every bite is full of flavor.

Conclusion:

The Francesinha is a delicious and unique sandwich that is sure to impress your friends and family. It is a bit of work to make, but it is definitely worth it. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting recipe to try, give the Francesinha a try. You won't be disappointed.