Andy Montoya
The chopped cheese sandwich is a New York City staple that is said to have originated in Harlem. It is made with seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, peppers, and melted cheese, all served on a sturdy roll. The sandwich is typically cooked on a griddle or flat-top surface, with the beef and vegetables chopped and cooked together. The chopped part of the name likely refers to the action of chopping the ingredients as they cook, a technique used by Yemeni immigrants who run many bodegas in New York. While the basic components of the sandwich remain consistent, chopped cheese sandwiches can be customized with toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, or hot sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef |
| Meat texture | Finely chopped |
| Meat seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, seasoned salt, Dominican adobo seasoning, chicken bouillon granules, Worcestershire sauce |
| Vegetables | Onions, mushrooms, peppers (hot, red cherry, jalapeno) |
| Cheese | American, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, provolone, Swiss |
| Bread | Hoagie roll, hero bread, French bread loaf, baguette, crisped-up hot dog buns, sub rolls |
| Condiments | Mayonnaise, ketchup |
| Toppings | Lettuce, tomatoes |
| Cooking method | Griddle, flat-top surface, pan |
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Choosing the right bread
Traditionally, chopped cheese sandwiches are served on hoagie rolls or hero bread. These long rolls provide a sturdy base and are typically halved, lightly toasted, and spread with mayonnaise before assembling the sandwich. Toasting the bread adds a crunchy texture and helps to prevent the bread from becoming soggy from the juicy fillings.
Other bread options that can be used include baguettes, crisped-up hot dog buns, or sub rolls. These alternatives offer similar sturdiness and length to the traditional hoagie roll, ensuring the sandwich stays together and can be comfortably eaten.
When choosing bread for a chopped cheese sandwich, it is important to consider the size and density of the loaf. A longer and denser loaf, such as a baguette or hoagie roll, provides more surface area for the fillings and helps to contain the hearty mixture. A softer roll, such as a hamburger bun, may become overwhelmed by the robust ingredients and chopping technique.
While the traditional options provide a classic foundation for the sandwich, feel free to experiment with different types of bread to add variety or accommodate dietary preferences. For a gluten-free option, a lettuce wrap or gluten-free roll can be used as a creative alternative.
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Cooking the beef
To cook the beef for a chopped cheese sandwich, start by placing a cast-iron skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Add butter, and sauté onions. Push the onions to the side with a spatula.
Add ground beef to the pan. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. You can also add red chilli flakes or chopped hot peppers if you want to make it spicy. Sear the beef for 2-4 minutes on each side, slowly breaking it up and mixing it with the onions as it cooks. Continue cooking until there is no pink beef remaining.
Once the beef is browned, you can start chopping it with the side of a large spatula. Keep chopping and mixing the beef with the onions until everything is cooked through and well-seasoned. The beef is now ready to be used as a filling for your chopped cheese sandwiches.
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Adding cheese
The chopped cheese sandwich is a unique creation, with a variety of possible ingredients. The choice of cheese is one of the most important elements, as it is the namesake of the sandwich.
The classic choice of cheese for a chopped cheese sandwich is American cheese. This is a popular option, and likely to be found in most recipes. However, other options include mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and provolone. If you like spicy food, you could also add some provolone and hot peppers to your sandwich, as suggested by one source. This combination is also a good option for those who prefer their sandwich without any condiments.
The amount of cheese you use is up to you, but most recipes suggest covering each portion of the sandwich with two slices of cheese. This will ensure that the cheese melts nicely and gives the sandwich its characteristic gooey texture.
Once you've added the cheese, it's important to let it melt before using a spatula to "'chop'" it into the meat mixture. This technique is where the sandwich gets its name.
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Seasoning
Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are basic seasonings that are commonly used in chopped cheese. You can add them to taste while cooking the ground beef and onions. They enhance the flavour of the filling and bring out the juices of the meat.
Garlic: Garlic is another popular seasoning in chopped cheese. You can use fresh garlic cloves, minced or pressed, and add them to the onions while sautéing. Alternatively, you can use garlic powder, which is a convenient and shelf-stable option. It adds a savoury punch to the sandwich.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce is a savoury condiment that can be added to the beef filling. It has a unique tangy flavour that enhances the taste of the meat. It is often used in chopped cheese to give it a distinct savoury kick.
Red Chilli Flakes and Hot Peppers: If you like your chopped cheese with a kick, you can add red chilli flakes or chopped hot peppers. These ingredients not only add spice but also contribute to the overall flavour profile of the sandwich. You can adjust the amount according to your preferred level of spiciness.
Dominican Adobo Seasoning and Chicken Bouillon Granules: In some variations of chopped cheese, Dominican adobo seasoning or chicken bouillon granules are used to season the beef. These seasonings add a unique flavour profile to the sandwich, making it a popular choice in certain regions.
It's important to note that the seasoning of your chopped cheese sandwich can be customised to your taste preferences. You can also experiment with other seasonings like paprika, cayenne pepper, or dried herbs to create your own unique blend. The key is to build flavour and create a well-seasoned filling that complements the cheese and other toppings.
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Customising toppings
Chopped cheese sandwiches are highly customisable, and you can add toppings of your choice. The classic chopped cheese sandwich is made with ground beef, sautéed onions, peppers, and melted cheese, served on a roll or hero bread. You can add toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, or hot sauce, based on your preference.
If you like your sandwich spicy, you can add red chilli flakes or chopped hot peppers. You can also add mushrooms and cherry peppers. If you want to skip the condiments, you can simply add onions, cheese, mushrooms, beef, and peppers.
For the cheese, you can use American cheese, mozzarella cheese, Pepper Jack, provolone, or Swiss cheese. You can also add mayonnaise, ketchup, shredded lettuce, red onion, and tomato. If you like jalapeños, you can add them with the onions at the beginning.
You can also switch out the beef for ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork. You can also use hamburger patties instead of making the ground beef mixture from scratch.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need ground beef, butter, onions, mushrooms, salt, pepper, garlic powder, American cheese, and a roll. You can also add other toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, or hot peppers.
You can cook chopped cheese in a cast-iron skillet or pan, or on a griddle. You will also need a spatula.
First, toast your roll and spread mayonnaise on it. Then, add butter to your skillet or pan and saute onions and mushrooms. Next, add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear the beef for a few minutes, then use a spatula to break it up and mix with the onions and mushrooms. Finally, add cheese and use the spatula to "chop" it into the mixture.
Yes, chopped cheese is very customizable. You can switch out the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or pork, and use different types of cheese such as mozzarella, Pepper Jack, or provolone. You can also add or remove toppings to suit your taste.
