Sauces > Portuguese Sauces > Francesinha Sauce

Garlic-Infused Francesinha Sauce Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup of beer
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste

Special equipment needed:
- None

Step-by-step instructions:
1. In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add the tomato sauce, beer, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
5. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
7. Transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
8. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.


- Time:
Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
Temperature:
- Medium heat for sautéing garlic
- Low heat for simmering sauce
Serving size:
- Makes about 1 cup of sauce

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 80
- Fat: 4g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 2g

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use any type of beer you like, but a lager or pilsner works best.
- If you don't have smoked paprika, you can use regular paprika or omit it altogether.

Variations:
- For a spicier sauce, add more hot sauce or a diced jalapeño pepper.
- For a creamier sauce, add a tablespoon of butter or heavy cream.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to mince the garlic finely so it cooks evenly and doesn't burn.
- You can adjust the seasoning to your liking by adding more or less salt, pepper, or hot sauce.
- This sauce is traditionally served with a Portuguese sandwich called Francesinha, but it can also be used as a dipping sauce for fries or as a topping for burgers.

Storage instructions:
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the sauce in a small bowl or ramekin alongside the Francesinha sandwich.

Garnishes:
- Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

Pairings:
- This sauce pairs well with a cold beer or a glass of red wine.

Suggested side dishes:
- French fries or potato wedges
- Grilled vegetables
- Coleslaw

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of beer or water to thin it out.
- If the sauce is too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.

Food safety advice:
- Make sure to store the sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use within a week.

Food history:
- Francesinha is a popular sandwich from Porto, Portugal, that typically consists of bread, ham, sausage, steak, and melted cheese, all topped with a spicy tomato sauce.

Flavor profiles:
- This sauce is tangy, spicy, and slightly smoky, with a hint of garlic.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the sauce alongside the Francesinha sandwich or use as a dipping sauce for fries.

Related Categories

Cooking Method: N/A

Course Type: N/A

Dietary: N/A

Ingredient: N/A

Meal type: N/A

Occassion: N/A

Region: Portuguese

Taste: Savory, Garlicky, Tangy, Rich, Spicy