International > Portuguese > Sauces

Portuguese-Style Francesinha Sauce Recipe

Ingredients with Measurements:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste

Special equipment needed:
- None

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, honey, and mustard to the saucepan and stir to combine.
4. Pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaf.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the bay leaf and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Use an immersion blender or transfer the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.


- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 25 minutes
Temperature:
- None
Serving size:
- Makes about 2 cups of sauce

Nutritional information:
- Calories: 60
- Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Protein: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg

Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a vegetarian version.
- If you don't have hot sauce, you can use cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes instead.

Variations:
- You can add a splash of beer or port wine to the sauce for extra flavor.
- For a spicier sauce, add more hot sauce or red pepper flakes.

Tips and tricks:
- Make sure to sauté the onion and garlic until they are translucent to ensure a smooth sauce.
- Use an immersion blender for easy blending and less mess.
- The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

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

Reheating instructions:
- Reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Presentation ideas:
- Serve the sauce over a traditional Portuguese francesinha sandwich or as a dipping sauce for fries.

Garnishes:
- None

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

Suggested side dishes:
- Fries or a side salad would be a great accompaniment to the francesinha sandwich.

Troubleshooting advice:
- If the sauce is too thick, add more beef broth to thin it out.

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

Food history:
- The francesinha sandwich originated in Porto, Portugal in the 1950s and is a popular dish in the region.

Flavor profiles:
- The sauce is savory, slightly sweet, and has a hint of spice.

Serving suggestions:
- Serve the sauce over a traditional Portuguese francesinha sandwich or as a dipping sauce for fries.

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Region: Portuguese

Taste: Savory, Tangy, Spicy, Rich, Aromatic