Francesinha - Portuguese Delight

Ingredients

• 4 slices of white bread 4 slices of white bread
• 4 slices of ham 4 slices of ham
• 4 slices of roast beef 4 slices of roast beef
• 4 slices of smoked sausage 4 slices of smoked sausage
• 8 slices of cheese (such as Gouda or Emmental) 8 slices of cheese (such as Gouda or Emmental)
• 4 eggs 4 eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) of beer 1 cup (240ml) of beer
• 1 cup (240ml) of tomato passata 1 cup (240ml) of tomato passata
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon of hot sauce 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon of butter 1 tablespoon of butter
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Spicy aioli sauce (optional) Spicy aioli sauce (optional)
• French fries, for serving French fries, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 650 kcal / 2720 KJ
• Fat: 35g (Saturated: 16g)
• Carbohydrates: 45g (Sugars: 5g)
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a saucepan, combine the beer, tomato passata, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. 3.
   In a separate pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Toast the slices of bread until golden brown on both sides.
4. 4.
   Assemble the sandwiches by layering a slice of ham, roast beef, and smoked sausage on each slice of bread. Top with two slices of cheese.
5. 5.
   Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and pour the sauce over them, making sure they are fully covered. Reserve some sauce for serving.
6. 6.
   Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. 7.
   In a separate pan, fry the eggs to your desired doneness.
8. 8.
   Remove the sandwiches from the oven and place a fried egg on top of each.
9. 9.
   Serve the Francesinhas with a side of crispy French fries and the reserved sauce. Optionally, drizzle some spicy aioli sauce over the sandwiches for an extra kick.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cheese — Use a good melting cheese like Gouda or Emmental for the best results.
• Smoked sausage — Look for Portuguese-style smoked sausage, such as linguica or chourico, to add an authentic flavor to the dish.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add more hot sauce to the sauce mixture.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of hot sauce or omit it altogether.
• Feel free to customize the sandwich by adding additional toppings such as pickles or sautéed onions.
• Make sure to use fresh bread for the best texture and taste.
• Serve the Francesinha with a cold beer to complement the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the Francesinha hot, straight from the oven, with a generous amount of sauce poured over the top. The fried egg should be slightly runny, adding a creamy element to each bite. Accompany the sandwich with a side of crispy French fries for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To present the Francesinha beautifully, place the sandwich on a large plate and drizzle some of the sauce around it. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, for a pop of color. Serve the fries in a separate bowl or on the side of the plate.