Tag: sandwich

Grilled Mortadella Sandwich

Grilled Mortadella Sandwich

Grilled Mortadella Sandwich

This sandwich was introduced to me by on tv Anthony Bourdain on his trip to São Paulo, Brazil to the Mercadao Municipal. The food stall that sells this marvel of a sandwich uses 12 ounces of mortadella. 12 OUNCES!!! I’ve thought about this sandwich for countless years. I’ve recently learned he adapted this recipe in his cookbook, Appetites. So this recipe is in no way in any shape mine. It is in homage to Bourdain for his love of food and culture. This sandwich should be experienced by all.
So what is mortadella, you may ask? This large cured sausage originated from Bologna, Italy. Think of it as the fanciest of bologna, with large studs of cubed fat, sometimes with pistachios. While this is obviously not the healthiest thing to eat, it is worth consuming at least once in your life.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time8 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Brazilian, Italian
Keyword: Brazilian, European, Italian, Latin American, main course, Pork, sandwich
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1/2 tbsp butter
  • 1 Portuguese roll or brioche, sourdough, etc
  • 12 slices mortadella
  • 3 slices provolone
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp dijon mustard

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Slice the roll in half and toast until browned; about 2 minutes max. Remove from the pan.
  • Spread mayo and dijon mustard on both sides of the roll.
  • Add 4 stacks of 3 slices of mortadella. Cook until crispy; about 3 minutes.
  • Flip each stack. Add a slice of provolone to 3 of the stacks. Cook for 3 minutes.
  • Stack the cheese stacks on top of each other, with the cheeseless stack on top.
  • Place the stack on the toasted roll and eat!
Hot Dagos

Hot Dagos

Hot Dagos

Believe it or not, the hot dago is said to have originated from my hometown of Saint Paul, MN in my neighborhood of W. 7th street by Italian/Americans. This was something I ate all the time growing up and really miss. They are easy and cheap to make; plus they are just damn tasty. Some people make the hot dagos all beef; some all Italian sausage; and others with various percentages of the two meats. Once the patties are browned, they’re simmered in a marinara sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese, and served over toasted Italian bread or ciabatta rolls.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Fusion, Italian, Minnesota
Keyword: American, Beef, European, Italian, main course, Minnesota, Pork, sandwich, signature dishes
Servings: 4
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lb 90% lean ground beef
  • 1/2 lb pork Italian sausage mild or spicy
  • 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 4 ciabatta roll toasted

Marinara Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 1 Fresno chili finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup parsley finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup basil finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp oregano
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 16 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine

Instructions

  • Mix the hot dago ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Form into 4 thin patties.
  • Heat up 2 tbsp of olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add in the patties.
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes a side. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onions, mushrooms, garlic, and Fresno chili for 2 minutes.
  • Toss in the parsley, basil, and oregano and cook for another minute.
  • Stir in the tomato paste and cook for a minute.
  • Pour in the canned tomatoes and red wine. Simmer covered for 5 minutes on low heat.
  • Place the hot dagos in the sauce. Cover and continue simmering for 15 minutes.
  • Place a 1/4 cup of mozzarella on each of the hot dagos.
  • Cook uncovered for another 5 minutes until the cheese has melted.
  • Place a patty and sauce on a toasted ciabatta roll.
Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder

Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder

Stuffed Italian Meatball Grinder

On the East Coast, a grinder is a sandwich on Italian hoagie rolls with hot ingredients instead of cold cuts; with cheese and Italian salad on it. My sandwich is reminiscent of the old MN state fair grinder stall that serve meatballs, sauce, and cheese stuffed into hollowed out Italian bread; instead of slicing the bread in half.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: American, Beef, European, Italian, main course, Pork, sandwich
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • hoagie buns
  • mozzarella cheese shredded

Meatballs

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef or 50/50 ground beef and pork
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minded
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 tsp dried basil
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper optional

Sauce

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 16 oz canned crushed tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/4 cup basil chopped
  • 2 tbsp oregano chopped
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper

Instructions

  • Mix all of the meatball ingredients together.
  • Roll into mini meatballs about the size of a cherry.
  • Add olive to a large sauté pan over medium high heat. Cook the meatballs for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the pan.
  • Add in another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Sauté the onions for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  • Add in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
  • Deglaze the pan with the red wine. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
  • Add the meatballs into the sauce. Cover and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Sandwich Assembly

  • Cut each of the hoagie buns in half. Hollow out the inside, making sure not to tear open the outside.
  • Place one of the halves in a pint glass to hold it upright. Put a small pinch of mozzarella in the bottom.
  • Place 2 meatballs and some sauce on the bottom.
  • Repeat this layering process 2 more times so there’s a total of 6 meatballs in the sandwich.
  • Place some mozzarella cheese on top.