Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches represent the best culinary flavors the city has to offer. Decadent yet simple, filling without overdoing it, these sandwiches – when made right – are exquisite and become more than just sandwiches. While Philadelphia natives may avoid combinations of bread, steak, onions and cheese that don't use the famous cheez wiz cheese, a good cheese steak can actually be made with generous amounts of quality Italian cheese. Read this article and get ready to make one hot sandwich.
Ingredients
For 2 servings of cheese steak.
- 1 lb. (453.5 g) hanger steak, frozen, cut into very thin slices
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 4 slices Provolone cheese or wiz cheese
- 2 or more hoagie rolls
Step
Method 1 of 2: Making a Cheese Steak with Real Cheese
Step 1. Take a partially frozen hanger steak and slice it very thinly
Thin slices of steak will cook very quickly and will allow other flavors – cheese, onions, peppers – to mix, with your bread as a base.
You can cut partially frozen steaks with a large, sharp chef's knife, or you can use a commercial meat slicer to make preparation easier and produce a uniform thickness. Most people don't have a meat slicer; a sharp knife is actually quite adequate to use, although it will take a little longer
Step 2. Briefly sauté the onions and peppers over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes
In a large skillet that has been lined with oil, fry the onions and peppers (if desired) until they are both translucent and slightly brown at the edges. Stir occasionally and add salt as needed. Remove from the stove and set aside when done.
Step 3. Coat the same skillet with enough oil and add the thinly sliced steak
Allow the meat to brown without stirring or shaking it. At moderately high heat – and depending on the thickness of the meat – this process should only take a minute or two. Don't cook it too long.
Step 4. Start cutting the steak into smaller pieces with two pointed spatulas
Hold the steak with one spoon while you chop it with the other. Once the steak is cut into smaller pieces, flip it over to make sure the steak is cooked on both sides. Cook for no more than 30 seconds.
Step 5. Add the onions and peppers to the bacon and arrange your steaks in long rows, about the size of your bread and topped with two slices of cheese
You'll be placing your patties directly on top of the steak, so make sure your mound is roughly the size of the loaf.
Step 6. Turn off the heat and start melting the cheese, about 30 seconds
Step 7. Place your open hoagie roll on top of the meat and cheese, in a “roof” position
What type of hoagie roll should you choose? In a Tri-state area where cheese steak is king, Aversa, Amoroso, and Vilotti-Pisanelli are the ones commonly used as hoagie rolls.
However, if you can't find any of these types, you can try making your own version of Italian rolls or using French Bread. French bread is a little crunchier than you normally use and isn't ideal, but it won't crumble easily and is a fairly large loaf
Step 8. Tuck the spatula under the meat and turn the spatula and roll over
The filling of your cheese steak should fit nicely in your roll.
Step 9. Enjoy
Method 2 of 2: Making Cheese Steaks with Wiz Cheese
Step 1. Follow the same general process for cooking meat
Take a slightly frozen steak and slice it thinly. Fry the onions and peppers and remove them when ready (about 5 minutes). Start cooking the steak, then chop it with a pointed spatula when it's almost done. Mix the onions and peppers with your steak pieces.
Step 2. Line up the hoagie roll with lots of cheez whiz
Here you have 2 options for heating up your roll and/or your cheez wiz:
- Option 1: Bake your hoagie roll and grease the hot buns with cheez wiz. This will result in a crispy loaf, but the heat of the cheez wiz won't last long.
- Option 2: Heat your cheese wiz in the microwave. Remove the melted cheese with a spoon and put it in the roll.
Step 3. Scoop the steaks and onions into a roll that is lined with cheez wiz
Step 4. Enjoy
Step 5. Done
Tips
- When taking a bite, make sure you get the meat, toppings and cheese.
- There are many variations of cheese that you can use. Provolone cheese is just one example.
- Use fried onions and mushrooms. These two ingredients are especially delicious on a Philly Cheese Steak.
