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I like this song and to say thanks to Nelly, I am sending this recipe out to her. I bet she had these when she was a kid. I wonder if she still does. Oh they look so good! I bet she still does. How could she not?

Thanks to Petiscos de Portugal for this image
Thanks to Portuguese Cooking for this recipe

Francesinha
One Serving

The sauce recipe yields enough for 25 sandwiches. Make the sauce and freeze it in smaller quantities.

To Make the Sauce Ahead:

• 3 large onions, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 cup water
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 pound ham, mortadella or salami, cut in pieces
• 7 tablespoons flour
• 1 beer
• 3 ounces whiskey,or brandy
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• Piri piri hot sauce or tabasco like sauce
• salt and ground pepper to taste
• 1 poached or scrambled egg (optional)

1. Fry the onions in the olive oil until translucent. Add the water, bay leaves and meats. Sauté the beef, sausage and ham for about 2 minutes each side.
2. When the meats are done, transfer to a dish and remove the bay leaves from the pan. Puree the remaining contents of the pan. Return the pan to the heat
3. Using the beer,dissolve the flour and tomato paste into a cup, followed by the whisky or brandy, salt, hot sauce. Mix thoroughly, add to the pan and bring to a simmer.
4. Place 1 slice of bread on a plate or small bowl. Top it with the beef slices, sausage,sliced lengthwise followed with a scrambled egg if using. Add the top slice of bread followed by placing the slices of cheese on top and on the sides. If you prefer a poached egg, add it on top of the last slice of bread.
5. Spoon the very hot sauce over the top and sides of the sandwich, melting the cheese. Serve immediately. You will need a fork and knife.

For one sandwich serving:

• 2 slices of sandwich bread
• 2 ounces sandwich steak, thinly sliced
• 2 ounces linguica or chourico sausage
• 4 thin slices of cheese (Sao Jorge or other soft cheese)
• 1 scrambled egg (optional)

Posted on July 7th, 2008 by Ruth
Filed under: Sandwiches