#Chicagobeef

[ianmacallen]

Over at America Domani, I wrote about Italian Pepper and Egg sandwiches.

[thomaspoovathur]

Marco's Italian Beef Sandwich. . @marcosbeef . #marcosbeef #marcosbeefandpizza #chicagobeef #italianbeef #madeinchicago #giardiniera #italianbeefsandwich #chicagostyle #doubledipped #signaturesandwich #originalitalianbeefsandwich (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj6LDsgPgK0/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[snowhawk1976]

#Chicagobeef #Ramen before bed 🌟 realize haven't eaten since Sat 🤢 & my #selfcare sucks (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci9uxkGO9aR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[chefilona]

CHEF ILONA: My not quite authenic, but totally delicious  Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich!

I love Chicago. It’s a big city that doesn’t act like it. The people are friendly, their community spirit is infectious and the food? Omg the food! As a chef, I’ve had the chance to do some work in Chicago over the years and every time I go there are certain things that must be eaten: A feed at Portillos (those Chicago Dogs cannot be missed!), Deep Dish from Lou Malnati’s (so much debate here), a Polish sausage at Jim’s and an Italian Beef sandwich. 

Now before I go any further, I want to share the parameters I am dealing with trying to come as close as I can in re-creating the iconic sandwich:

1) I am on a small island province on the east coast of Canada and we definitely do not have access to many of the readily available pantry items found in the US. We do not have Italian dressing mix packets or Chicago Giardinera on Prince Edward Island. I could order some of the items online, but I feel this might deter some folx from making the dish.With this in mind I made the choice to MacGyver it.

2) This recipe needs to be accessible to home cooks. This means the shaved beef found at Al’s will likely not be possible unless you happen to have a meat slicer at home.

3) Bread is an important part of the sandwich. It’s gotta have the structural integrity to withstand dipping the entire sandwich in the jus if desired, but not something too tough to warrant a visit to the dentist’s office. I opt for a nice bit of French bread. This is a good time to visit your local bakery for this sandwich. It is well worth it.

Now with that out of the way, my love of this sandwich isn’t something I can access anytime, so this is a labour of love that is as close as I can come to the Chicago; I think of it as an Italian Beef with a Canadian kiss.

Chicago Inspired Italian Beef

A Chef ILona interpration!

This recipe is based upon the iconic Chicago Italian Beef sandwich by way of PEI. There are some ingredients that are simply unavailable in Canada, so I’ve taken a bit of poetic license to get us as close as possible. I’ve opted to use Havarti instead of provolone because I prefer the buttery quality of Havarti melted on this epic sando.

3lb PEI BEEF chuck flats, trimmed of excessive visible fat and cut into large pieces

2 Tbsp Club House Italiano Seasoning or (1 Tbsp italian dry herb seasoning, ½ Tbsp granulated garlic, ½ Tbsp onion powder, 2 tsp onion flakes)

1 cup pepperoncini pepper slices + splash of juice or mild pickled jalapeno

3-4 dashes of Worcestershire

1 cup Italian Pickled Vegetable Salad, drained and chopped

2 cups sodium free beef broth

1 each red and green bell pepper, sliced into thick wedges

Havarti cheese slices

4 French mini baguettes or Italian Rolls

At a medium-high heat, brown the beef in a small amount of olive oil. Place browned beef, Italiano seasoning, both pickled vegetables, and beef stock in a casserole dish with a fitted lid. Allow the beef to braise in a 350F oven until tender; this should take about 3 ½ hours. After 3 hours have elapsed stir in the 2 bell peppers. To assemble the sandwich: Pull apart the meat and stuff some into a bun topped with some of the cooked bell peppers. Place a few slices of Havarti on top of the meat and place in a broiler until the cheese just melts. If you want, ladle on additional sauce or dip the entire sandwich in the braising liquid. Top with additional pickled vegetables, mild jalapeno rings and pepperoncini. Meat will freeze well for up to 3 months.

[detroitpigout]

Out Supporting that's what I do how about you. For the Love of Chi Town only place in Michigan got it right perfection I say. Just opened a physical location inside Doug's Delight Hazel Park open Thursday- Sunday. The special order I placed with 2 Vienna Beef Hotdogs Double Damn Vienna All Beef Hot Dogs Yes they pack 2 in da bun. The Famous Chicago Hot Dogs Dragged through the Garden always spot on, just like in Chicago folks the real deal. Got a couple Famous Chicago Beef Sandwiches her's dry no heat, mine HOT n Wet the only way to eat this Chicago Beef. Wet means Juicy n Spicy Giardiniera Peppers OMG the explosion of flavor in each bite along with juices flowing down me bearded chin. Matt has mastered the Famous Chicago Beef fresh top Round cooked 4 hours in a secret 14 spice au jus then rested overnight for slices of delicately thin slices of Love. Folks you gotta visit anyone who's been to Chicago will truly know these special food's. Also had a fantastic Deep Fried Ravioli with yummy sauce for dipping. See outstanding reviews around the web Yelp Google Facebook and Instagram. #matt&mo's #italianbeef #chicagobeef #chicagodog #viennabeefhotdogs #friedravioli #hotnwet @mattandmos #supportlocalbusiness #motorcitymunchers (at Matt & Mo's Italian Beef) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAbdIjcgAI5/?igshid=1ij7b55xxkgst

[69abody]

Jake wanted a taste of the Chicago dogs for himself. Gave me the perfect opportunity for a Beef Sammich. #howcouldiresist #chicagofood #chicagobeef #beefsammich #wetwithsweet #windycitybeefsndogs #thisisgoodstuff (at Windy City Beefs n Dogs)

[chefbbzing-blog]

Good enough for him, good enough for me! #chicagobeef @alsbeef (at Al's Beef) https://www.instagram.com/bob.bennett.520/p/BxG0nwyJsK-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1imsxsurc8i11

[marinatemebaby]

Well, needless to say I love this place for two reasons #chicagobeef #applebeer @cubbys (at Cubby's Chicago Beef)

[notjustchipndip-blog]

Italian beef with hot giardiniera peppers from Fratellos Hotdogs in Rolling Meadows, IL 📷 photo creds: chip • • • #italianbeef #itsliansausage #fratellos #hotdogs #foodie #foodporn #italianfood #sweetpeppers #sweetandspicy #foodinsta #bread #italianbread #dipped #hotpeppers #peppers #giardiniera #yum #yummy #goodeats #portillos #yummyyummy #delicious #chicagoeats #chicagobeef #chicagoitalianbeef #chipnidp #notjustchipndip (at Fratellos 2) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0eBarwlIDb/?igshid=8k0ddz5g11za

[cantonbrewworks]

Matt and Mo's is here tonight! #cantonmi #chicagobeef #caprese #fries #mibeer

[flippitydip]

Chicago Beef, an experiment in idiocy

Food was really good, servers and staff are borderline mentally handicapped, I was literally scammed out of money because the servers could not do kindergarten math. Extremely loud and terrible live music and the food takes a century to come out. Not to mention we wanted to change our order about a minute after we put it in and we were refused of this request even though we had just ordered literally about a minute beforehand. Customers are not a priority here obviously. Store is also dirty. The attitude the staff have is disgusting and inexcusable. AVOID unless you are in the mood to be scammed for your hard earned money by a bunch of mismanaged tools.

[wrekchicago]

Round 2 with ma man HufuOner. It was cold and the rustos just weren't agreeing with me but I made it work to the best of my abilities.

[detroitpigout]

Hotness be a quality Italian Resturante in the heart of Taylor great location corner of Goddard n Pardee. This place got a beautiful outdoor patio will be hopping this summer seating 80 Happy diners. Downriver native graduated from Schoolcraft Culinary school took first job at Auburn Cafe. He's a Greek with mad cooking skills. Chef David, who has worked his magic at many establishments such as Mosaic, Detroit Seafood Market, Whitney recently Wine Dotte Bistro. We started with a outstanding Wonderful Salad named after owner Donna the biggest Bestest Downriver 2 of us ate and took half home. Be a Antipasto on Romaine packed with Meats, Cheeses, Olives n more, the addictive Lemon Basil dressing rules OMG it's so really great. Wife has a really good Burger which she added a 2nd Patty spot on delicious. Me HOLY WOWED Santino South Side Italian Beef Hot n Wet yes the real deal just blew me away. I ordered Double Beef just only ate half going back for many more of these. Chicago style Beef sandwich very hard to find around town, this a instant winner you must try. Salute Taverna’s menu has appetizers Bruchette and Wings Eggplant, Italian Sausage, Peppers , Onions, Meatballs, Tuscan LambChops n Coconut Shrimp , Soups, Burgers and Sandwiches. Seafood, Beef Pork, Chicken and Pasta along with Brickfired Pizza over with many choices or create your own. We going back for Pasta and Pizza really soon. A large Wine list, Craft Beer's and Keno in a relaxed setting. Find them on Facebook Yelp Google and the website. #salutetaverna #chicagobeef #antipastosalad #itailian #downriverfriendseat #motorcitymunchers (at Salute Taverna) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7KOj2Og5GW/?igshid=1gqqpbmb84qw8

[pucksandpixiedust]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE'S NO PORTILLO'S ON THE EAST COAST?! #welp #chicagobeef #yummy 🐽

[thumbkandi]

What's your favorite CHICAGO food? We have an icon for that! #deepdish #viennabeef #hotdogemoji #chicagobeef

[junruh05]

In nearly 30 years I never knew of this treat in Crystal Lake. Mister A does have SUPERB beef, even says critic Jay Leno. Who was here once! It's even close to my favorite #Schwinn store. #foodie. #food. #chicagobeef