Francesinha
Indulge in the bold and hearty flavors of Francesinha, Portugal's iconic sandwich that’s a feast for the senses. This layered masterpiece combines toasted white bread, smoky sausage, grilled pork or beef steak, ham, and melted cheese, all smothered in a rich, tangy tomato-beer sauce infused with garlic, piri-piri, and Worcestershire for a robust kick. The homemade sauce is simmered to perfection, then blended into a velvety texture to elevate every bite. Serve this decadent stack with a fried egg perched on top and crispy fries or a refreshing salad for the ultimate comfort food experience. Perfect for those seeking bold flavors and a culinary journey through Portuguese cuisine, Francesinha is a must-try delight to savor!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 Bay leaf
- 400 grams Crushed tomatoes
- 250 milliliters Chicken or beef stock
- 250 milliliters Beer
- 1 teaspoon Piri-piri sauce
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Flour
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 4 Thick slices of white bread
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 4 slices Sliced ham
- 1 large, sliced Smoked sausage
- 2 slices Grilled pork or beef steak
- 8 slices Cheese slices
- 1 optional Fried egg
Instructions
In a saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add the bay leaf, crushed tomatoes, chicken or beef stock, and beer to the pan. Stir well to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the piri-piri sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Stir and let the sauce simmer gently for about 20 minutes to thicken and develop flavors.
In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of flour with 1 tablespoon of butter to form a paste. Stir this paste into the simmering sauce to thicken it further.
Remove the bay leaf, and use an immersion blender to make the sauce smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then set aside.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
Butter one side of each slice of bread with the 2 tablespoons of butter, and toast them lightly on a skillet until golden brown.
On a baking sheet, start assembling the sandwich: place one slice of toasted bread, layer with 2 slices of ham, half of the smoked sausage slices, one grilled pork or beef steak, and top with another slice of toasted bread.
Repeat the layering to make the second sandwich.
Cover each sandwich with the cheese slices, overlapping to ensure the entire sandwich is covered.
Pour the hot sauce generously over each sandwich, ensuring the sides are also covered.
Place the sandwiches in the preheated oven until the cheese is thoroughly melted, about 10 minutes.
If desired, place a fried egg on top of each sandwich before serving.
Serve hot and enjoy your Francesinha with fries or a salad on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2895 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 174.8 g | 224% | |
| Saturated Fat | 85.4 g | 427% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 675 mg | 225% | |
| Sodium | 6228 mg | 271% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 185.8 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 11.8 g | 42% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.9 g | ||
| Protein | 139.4 g | 279% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.5 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 2228 mg | 171% | |
| Iron | 16.4 mg | 91% | |
| Potassium | 2412 mg | 51% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
