Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches!

The delicious iconic creation of Philadelphia brothers Harry and Pat Olivieri, Philly cheesesteak sandwiches first made their debut at a South Philly hot dog stand in 1930.  The brothers were so successful they opened a restaurant, Pat’s King of Steaks, which still runs a thriving business today. There was, in the 80’s, some cheesesteak family drama, that happened when Pat’s son Herbert opened “Olivieri’s Prince of Steaks” alleging unfair competition and using the original logo. The suit was settled happily in 2007. We’ve posted both of the family feuders recipes below.

In today’s video, Chef Niall Harbison from Look and Taste creates easy sirlion Philly cheesesteak sandwiches, complete with caramelized onions,green peppers, and garlic mayonnaise served on toasty baguettes. 

Chef Niall uses sirloin in his recipe, but a nice thinly sliced rib eye steak can be used as well, which some purists say is more authentic.  If the steaks are frozen they are simple to slice thinly with a sharp knife.  The cheese?   Whatever your heart desires, but we prefer a sharp provolone.   Enjoy!

Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich
Chef Niall Harbison

1. If cooking fresh bread, place them in the oven to bake as per instructions;

2. Trim the fat from the sirloin steak and cut it into thin strips. If you do not feel comfortable ask your butcher to do it for you;

3. Heat your frying pan to a medium heat before adding the olive oil and butter. When it starts frothing add the onions and cook until golden brown, tossing occasionally;

4. When the onions have caramelized and taken on a deep brown color season with salt and pepper before adding the green peppers;

5. Slice the bread and open it as wide as possible without cutting all the way through;

6. Remove the onion and pepper mix and set aside on a plate and keep warm by covering with tin foil;

7. Without cleaning your pan, add some more oil and bring back to a very high temperature before adding the seasoned beef. Continue to cook on a very high temperature for 2 minutes until it has taken an even brown color all over;

8. To make the sauce, add the finely chopped garlic to the mayonnaise and mix together. Spread this sauce evenly between the baguettes on both sides of the bread;

9. Split the beef, onion and pepper mix between the baguettes before layering the cheese on top of the sandwiches;

10. Place the tray with the sandwiches under the grill for 30 seconds until the cheese has melted and serve immediately.

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And thanks to the good people at Pat’s, here is their authentic restaurant recipe:

Pat’s King of Steaks famous cheese steak sandwich

• 6 tablespoons soybean oil
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 24 ounces sliced rib eye or eye roll steak
• Cheese (store processed recommended, aka Cheez Whiz, otherwise American or Provolone)
• 4 crusty Italian Rolls
• Sweet green and red peppers, sauteed in oil (optional)
• Mushrooms sauteed in oil (optional)
• Ketchup

Heat an iron skillet or a non-stick pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of oil to the pan and saute the onions to desired doneness. Remove the onions and add the remaining oil and saute the slices of meat quickly on both sides. Melt the cheese whiz in a double boiler or in the microwave. Place 8 ounces of the meat into the rolls, add onions, and pour the store processed cheese over top. Garnish with sweet peppers, mushrooms, ketchup.
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The Olivieri Prince of Steaks (now Rick’s Steaks) cheese steak  original restaurant recipe, via a vintage Women’s Day magazine interview with chef/owner Rick Olivieri:

5 oz Steak (read below)
Water to moisten
2 1/2 oz Desired cheese (read below)
9 1/2-inch hoagie roll
Fried onions
Additional Toppings:
Mushrooms, raw onions,
Sweet red & green peppers,
Pizza sauce, lettuce,
Tomato

To make one cheese-steak sandwich, take the steak (Olivieri’s recommended cut: the eye of the chuck) and slice it very thin.
Panfry in large skillet with no grease or oil, just enough water to moisten.
Right before it’s done, top with desired cheese (American, provolone, mozzarella or Cheez Whiz) until melted.
Put meat and cheese on the hoagie roll, then top with fried onions.
Add additional toppings if desired.

Put on the theme song to the first Rocky movie and enjoy!