This is not your ordinary stick-in-your-kid’s-school-lunch-box type sandwich. The following culinary creation takes a bit of time and effort to prepare, but your taste buds will thank you for it (though your waistline might not).
The “Ponyshoe” sandwich is considered the signature dish of Springfield, Illinois because it was created by two local chefs employed by the city’s Leland Hotel back in 1928. The sandwich is not for the faint of heart—-literally. It starts out with two slices of thick toasted bread. Those are topped with a monstrous piece of fried ham steak or two large hamburger patties. Add to that a huge helping of French fries and then the whole thing is doused in rich cheese sauce.
The sandwich gets its name from its shape. The ham represents the shape of a horseshoe and the fries resemble the horseshoe nails.
HORSESHOE SANDWICH
Ingredients:
Frozen French fries
Cheese Sauce (see recipe below)
8 slices toasted white bread
sliced baked ham or 8 cooked hamburger patties
Dash of ground paprika
Directions:
Prepare frozen French fries according to package directions. Prepare Cheese Sauce.
Ingredients for Cheese Sauce:
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoon butter
3 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions:
In a small bowl, combine egg yolks and water until mixed; set aside.
In the top of a double boiler over hot water, melt butter and Cheddar cheese. Add Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper; stir until well mixed. Add egg mixture, a little at a time, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until mixture thickens and begins to bubble around the edges.
Remove from heat and keep warm until sandwiches are assembled.
To assemble sandwich: Place 2 slices of toasted bread side by side on individual serving platters; top with either ham slices or cooked beef patties, cover with Cheese Sauce, and mound a large amount of French fries on top and along the sides. To garnish, sprinkle with paprika. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings.
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