Portabella
"CheeseSteaks"
The following recipe uses Portabellas as a vegetarian substitute for the steak,
you can go ahead and add grilled, thinly sliced steak to experience the real cheesteak --
as it is made in Reading, Pennsylvania. Keep the mushrooms in there for a great experience
and don't forget the sliced hot peppers.
Also, it is important to season the mushrooms well. The roll and sweet onions can dull the
flavors of the mushrooms and sauce if they are not assertive enough.
Ingredients:
- 1 6-ounce package sliced Portabella caps
- Salt
- Vegetable oil
- ½ large onion, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 slices American, Romano or Mozzarella cheese
- 2 long sandwich buns (usually sold as hoagie buns, typically 6-8 inches long)
- 1/3 cup sliced cherry peppers or banana peppers
Preparation:
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
Place the mushrooms in a large saucepan and liberally sprinkle with salt. Add ¼ cup
water, turn the heat to medium, and cover. After 6 minutes the mushrooms will have
released most of their liquid. Slat again so the mushroom flavor is very strong, and
remove and place the mushrooms on a towel-lined plate.
Place about 2 tablespoons oil in an 8-inch sauté pan and add the onion. Fry the onion
until very limp and browned, about 10 minutes. Turn down the heat to low, and season with
a little salt and the oregano. Form the onion into a rectangular shape to approximate the
shape of the buns into which they will go. Cover with the cheese. Cover the sauté pan and
keep on the heat until the cheese melts. Remove the cover and cut the onion-cheese mixture
down the middle so you have 2 thin, narrow halves. (By doing this, you make it easier to
transfer the mixture onto the buns.)
Cut the buns almost in half lengthwise, making sure the "hinge" stays fully
intact. Place half the onion-cheese mixture onto each bun with a spatula and add half the
mushrooms. Cover with the warm sauce and finally add the hot peppers.
Makes 2 sandwiches.
Note: To make this a true cheesesteak, cook the meat while you fry the onions. Then
blend the two together, form the mixture into a rectangular shape to approximate the rolls
you are using, add and melt the cheese, and transfer to the buns. Cover with the sauce and
add hot peppers.
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