Francesinha Recipe

Prepare the Meats

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the linguiça, chorizo, and steak until browned. The steak should be cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove from the skillet and let cool slightly before slicing the steak thinly.

Prepare the Bread

Toast the thick slices of bread lightly in the same skillet or in a toaster to add some crispiness.

Sauté the Aromatics

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until the onion is translucent.

Add the Tomato Base

Stir in the tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

Add Beer and Seasonings

Pour in the beer, and add the paprika, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.

Blend the Sauce

Remove the bay leaf and blend the sauce until smooth, either with an immersion blender or in a regular blender. Return to heat if needed and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Layer the Ingredients

On a slice of toasted bread, layer the ham, sliced steak, linguiça, and chorizo. Top with another slice of bread, then repeat with the remaining meats.

Add the Sauce

Generously pour the prepared tomato sauce over the top of the sandwich, ensuring it is well-covered.

Melt the Cheese

Place the assembled sandwich under a broiler or in a hot oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve Hot

Remove from the oven and let cool for a minute before slicing in half. Serve with extra sauce on the side, if desired.