This is a traditional and unique recipe from the region or Porto, Portugal. It originated as a take on a popular French sandwich, Croque-monsieur and is aptly named, Francesinha, or Little Frenchy. It is the perfect combination of tender meat, melted cheese, and flavorful Portuguese tastes in a delicious sandwich. If you ever visit the Porto area this is a must eat. Here is a simple and easy way to make this dish without all the fuss, enjoy!



*Serves 1-2*

Ingredients:

2 bread slices slightly toasted

2 slices of smoked ham

4 slices of cheese (whichever you prefer, I like to use Queijo from Sao Jorge)

1 grilled chourico (or any type of sausage if you dont have chourico)

1 cooked slice of beef

1 beer

1 cube chicken stock

2 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoon tomato paste

1/4 cup Port wine

1/4 cup milk

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 bay leaf

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 355 degrees Fahrenheit.

2) Dissolve cornstarch into the milk and add the beer, chicken stock, butter, tomato paste, and port wine.

3) Blend the liquid mix in a food processor.

4) Put it into a pan over low heat and add the bay leaf.

5) Stir it until it starts to boil. Discard the bay leaf.

6) Set it aside in a bowl.

7) Put together the sausage, beef, ham, and 2 slices of cheese in the toasted bread slices.

8) Put the sandwich on a plate and place the other 2 slices of cheese on top.

9) Immediately pour the sauce over the sandwich on a platter.

10) Place the platter in the oven for about 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Serve.



Image Credit goes to :

José Raeiro