{"id":"francesinha_d06b994c26","slug":"francesinha-porto-style-sandwich","title":"Francesinha (Porto-Style Sandwich)","description":"A legendary Portuguese sandwich from Porto, featuring layers of toasted bread, steak, ham, and sausages, completely smothered in melted cheese and a thick, spicy beer-based tomato sauce.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":30,"totalMinutes":50,"activeMinutes":35},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"6 slices of thick white bread","name":"White bread","quantity":6,"unit":"slice","usQuantity":6,"usUnit":"slice","form":"thick slices","notes":"","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"2 thin beef steaks","name":"Beef Sirloin","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"thinly sliced","notes":"sirloin or tenderloin preferred","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 Portuguese linguiça sausages","name":"Sausages","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"split lengthwise","notes":"Portuguese smoked sausage","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"2 fresh sausages (chipolata style)","name":"Sausages","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"split lengthwise","notes":"fresh pork sausage","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"4 slices of cooked ham","name":"Ham","quantity":4,"unit":"slice","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"slice","form":"cooked","notes":"","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"16 slices of Edam or Gouda cheese","name":"Gouda Cheese","quantity":16,"unit":"slice","usQuantity":16,"usUnit":"slice","form":"sliced","notes":"enough to drape over the entire sandwich","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"2 eggs","name":"Egg","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"fried","notes":"to top the sandwich","group":"Sandwich","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 onion, chopped","name":"Onion","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"2 garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"330 ml beer","name":"Beer","quantity":330,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":11.2,"usUnit":"oz","form":"lager","notes":"one standard bottle","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"200 ml beef stock","name":"Beef Stock","quantity":200,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":0.8,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"50 ml Port wine","name":"Port Wine","quantity":50,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1.7,"usUnit":"oz","form":"ruby or tawny","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"2 tbsp tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"paste","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"1 tbsp cornstarch","name":"Cornstarch","quantity":8,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"powder","notes":"mixed with a little water","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-15","original":"Piri-piri sauce to taste","name":"Piri-piri Sauce","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"liquid","notes":"or any hot sauce to taste","group":"Sauce","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"To make the sauce, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in a pot with a little olive oil until softened. Add the tomato paste and bay leaf (if using), cooking for another 2 minutes.","group":"Sauce Preparation","title":"To make the sauce, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Pour in the beer, beef stock, Port wine, and piri-piri sauce. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and blend the sauce until completely smooth using an immersion blender.","group":"Sauce Preparation","title":"Pour in the beer, beef stock, Port wine, and piri-piri sauce","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Dissolve the cornstarch in a small amount of cold water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer for a few more minutes until the sauce thickens. Keep warm.","group":"Sauce Preparation","title":"Dissolve the cornstarch","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Sauce Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Grill or sear the beef steaks, linguiça, and fresh sausages in a pan until cooked through. Toast the bread slices lightly.","group":"Assembly","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Assemble the sandwiches: Place one slice of toast on a plate. Layer with a slice of ham, the steak, the fresh sausage, and the linguiça. Top with another slice of ham and a second slice of toast. Cover the entire sandwich (top and sides) with cheese slices.","group":"Assembly","title":"Assemble the sandwiches","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Place the sandwiches in the oven for about 5 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.","group":"Finishing","title":"Place the sandwiches","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"While the cheese melts, fry the eggs sunny-side up. Place an egg on top of each sandwich and pour a generous amount of the hot sauce over everything.","group":"Finishing","title":"Fry the eggs sunny-side up","timerMinutes":2,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"The secret to a great Francesinha is the sauce. It should be thick enough to coat a spoon and have a nice spicy kick. For the most authentic experience, serve with a side of French fries and a cold beer.","cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["Portuguese"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["simmer","sear","bake"],"equipment":["immersion blender","oven","frying pan","saucepan"],"diet":["high_protein"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk","eggs"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"sandwich","note":"Two large, hearty sandwiches"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The sauce can be made 1-2 days in advance and reheated."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"The sandwich itself does not store well once assembled with sauce; it is best eaten immediately. Leftover sauce can be refrigerated.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat sauce on the stovetop over low heat."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ffrancesinha_d06b994c26%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=bed1399e-37c2-4fe3-9172-402bcfe4c7cd","imageAlt":"Francesinha (Porto-Style Sandwich) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["francesinha","porto","sandwich","spicy","meat","cheese"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Francesinha (Porto-Style Sandwich)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T03:37:29.606Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T03:37:29.606Z","related":[{"id":"beans_on_toast_090f05da86","slug":"beans-on-toast","title":"Beans on Toast","description":"A comforting and iconic British breakfast classic consisting of savory tomato-sauced baked beans served over warm, buttery toasted bread.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":6,"totalMinutes":8,"activeMinutes":8},"cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["British"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbeans_on_toast_090f05da86%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7e734a02-c405-4f58-9782-ca0a7c25a806","imageAlt":"Beans on Toast — recipe cover","tags":["comfort food","easy","quick","british","beans"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"broodje_haring_91c744a5f1","slug":"broodje-haring-dutch-herring-sandwich","title":"Broodje Haring (Dutch Herring Sandwich)","description":"A quintessential Dutch street food staple. Fresh, salt-cured 'Hollandse Nieuwe' herring fillets served in a soft white bun with crunchy diced onions and tangy pickles.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["Dutch"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbroodje_haring_91c744a5f1%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e6c0c431-ce68-4e25-b81b-d2aa6a339d06","imageAlt":"Broodje Haring (Dutch Herring Sandwich) — recipe cover","tags":["herring","sandwich","street food","dutch","seafood","quick"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4},{"id":"porridge_9682c70b46","slug":"classic-creamy-porridge","title":"Classic Creamy Porridge","description":"A comforting and wholesome Western European breakfast staple made with rolled oats and milk, simmered to a perfectly creamy consistency.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":12,"activeMinutes":8},"cuisine":{"group":"Western European","specific":["British","Scottish"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","low_sodium","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fporridge_9682c70b46%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=323a864b-ad26-4a3e-b739-a1ed27e9c044","imageAlt":"Classic Creamy Porridge — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","oats","warm breakfast","creamy","easy"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":4}]}