Italian Roast Beef Recipe

Name: TAO Downtown Restaurants ITALIAN ROAST BEEF Recipe
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb roast beef, thinly shaved; 6 slices fontina cheese, sliced; 1 cup roma tomatoes, thinly sliced; 0.5 cup cherry pepper relish (mild or hot); 2 pieces Italian hero roll (8–10 inch), split lengthwise; 0.5 cup pecorino romano cheese, finely grated; 0.5 cup mayonnaise; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 0.5 tsp black pepper; 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tsp red wine vinegar; 0.5 tsp kosher salt; 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 6 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional)

Inspired by TAO Downtown Restaurant

Time25m

Serves2

shaved roast beef, fontina, tomatoes, chery pepper relish, pecorino spread

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Sandwich Components

1 lb roast beef, thinly shaved

6 slices fontina cheese, sliced

1 cup roma tomatoes, thinly sliced

1/2 cup cherry pepper relish (mild or hot)

2 pieces Italian hero roll (8–10 inch), split lengthwise

Pecorino Spread

1/2 cup pecorino romano cheese, finely grated

1/2 cup Mayonnaise

1 clove Garlic, minced

1 tsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp black pepper

Finishing & Seasoning

2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

1 tsp red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

6 leaves fresh basil leaves (optional)

Method

Pecorino Spread

Make spread

In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup finely grated pecorino romano, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning; if too thick, add a few drops of water or olive oil to reach spreadable consistency.

Sandwich Assembly

Prepare rolls

Preheat a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Brush the cut sides of each hero roll lightly with 1 tbs olive oil. Place rolls cut-side down on the hot skillet for 1–2 minutes until lightly toasted and golden. Remove and set aside.

Dress tomatoes

Toss the sliced roma tomatoes in a small bowl with 1 tsp red wine vinegar, a pinch (about 1/4 tsp) kosher salt and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Let sit 2–3 minutes to macerate.

Assemble sandwiches

Spread a generous layer (about 2 tbs) of the pecorino spread on the bottom half of each toasted roll. Layer half of the shaved roast beef (about 8 oz) evenly over the spread. Place 3 slices of fontina cheese over the beef on each sandwich. Top the cheese with the dressed tomato slices (about 1/2 cup per sandwich) and then spoon 1/4 cup cherry pepper relish evenly over the tomatoes. Add basil leaves if using. Drizzle the top side of the roll with about 1/2 tbs olive oil.

Finish

Close the sandwich and press gently. If desired, return the closed sandwich to the warm skillet for 1–2 minutes per side over medium-low heat to melt the cheese slightly and warm the beef. Slice each hero in half and serve immediately.

Final Seasoning

Before serving, taste one half and add additional kosher salt or black pepper if needed. Serve with pickles or chips if desired.