Francesinha Poutine (Portuguese × Québécois)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C · 1× (temperature · trays), spread the frozen fries in a single layer on lined tray(s) and bake for 22 min, tossing once halfway so they crisp evenly.

   Add in this stepFrozen oven fries 400 g

   oven

2. While the fries bake, make the sauce. Melt the butter in a 16 cm saucepan, add the chopped onion and garlic and the tomato paste and cook on medium heat for 4 min.

   Add in this stepButter (for the sauce) 20 gOnion ½Garlic cloves 1Tomato paste 2 tbsp

   medium heat

3. Add the beer (slowly, so it doesn't foam over), stock and piri-piri, bring to a boil on high heat, then turn down to medium-low heat and reduce for 12 min. Blend smooth with a stick blender.

   Add in this stepLager beer 200 mlBeef stock 200 mlPiri-piri sauce (or hot sauce) ½ tsp

   high heat→medium-low heat

4. Stir in the cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons of cold water and half the salt and simmer on medium heat for 2 min, until thick. The sauce must be very hot to melt the curds, so keep it on low heat.

   Add in this stepCornstarch 2 tspSalt ¼ tsp

   medium heat

5. Slice the linguiça into rounds, cut the ham into 1.5 cm cubes and slice the beef thinly, seasoning it with the remaining salt and pepper. Heat 60% of the oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat, brown the linguiça and ham first, then add the beef and cook for 6 min in total, until the beef is just done.

   Add in this stepSmoked linguiça (or chorizo) 100 gThick-cut ham 60 gBeef sirloin 160 gSalt ¼ tspBlack pepper to tasteVegetable oil 0.9 tbsp

   medium-high heat

6. Heat the remaining oil in a small pan and fry the eggs on medium heat for 3 min, until the yolks are still soft.

   Add in this stepEggs 2Vegetable oil 0.6 tbsp

   medium heat

7. Pile the hot fries into bowls, scatter over the cheese curds and top with the meats. Pour over plenty of near-boiling sauce so the cheese just starts to melt, add a fried egg and serve at once.

   Add in this stepCheese curds (or torn mozzarella) 120 g