The Perfect Philly Cheesesteak: A Guide To Dressings

The Philly Cheesesteak is a classic American dish that originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the 1930s. It is traditionally made with sliced ribeye steak, caramelized onions, and cheese, served on a toasted bun. While the classic cheesesteak cheese used is Cheez Whiz, some people may find this unappetizing and prefer to use provolone or a homemade cheese sauce instead. Other popular toppings include bell peppers, oregano, and garlic mayo.

Cheese whiz, provolone, or mozzarella

The classic cheesesteak is made using Cheese Whiz, but if that doesn't appeal to you, you can opt for provolone or mozzarella. Provolone is a good option if you're looking for a traditional Philadelphia taste, while mozzarella is a popular choice for those who like their cheesesteak with extra cheese.

Cheese Whiz is a processed cheese sauce that comes in a jar and is typically made with a combination of shredded cheddar cheese, American cheese, cornstarch, garlic powder, dry ground mustard, and sea salt. It has a creamy, smooth texture and a sharp cheddar flavour. While some people love it on their cheesesteak, others find it unappetizing. If you're not a fan of Cheese Whiz, you can make your own homemade cheese sauce by melting and combining shredded cheddar and American cheese. This will give you a similar taste and texture without the processed ingredients.

Provolone is a type of Italian cheese made from cow's milk. It has a mild flavour and a semi-soft texture, similar to mozzarella. It melts well and is often used as a topping for sandwiches and pizzas. If you're looking for an authentic Philadelphia cheesesteak experience, provolone is a great choice. It has a more subtle flavour than Cheese Whiz, so it won't overpower the other ingredients in your sandwich.

Mozzarella is another type of Italian cheese made from cow's milk or buffalo milk. It is a soft, creamy cheese with a mild flavour and a high melting point. Mozzarella is often used in dishes like pizza and lasagna, but it can also be a delicious addition to your cheesesteak. If you're a cheese lover, you may want to add extra mozzarella to your sandwich for a truly indulgent experience.

In addition to the type of cheese, there are a few other considerations for making the perfect Philly cheesesteak. The cut of beef is important, with ribeye being the most traditional choice, followed by sirloin or flank steak. You'll also want to thinly slice the beef against the grain to ensure a tender texture. Don't forget to toast your hoagie roll, and feel free to add toppings like caramelized onions, bell peppers, and garlic mayo to complete your sandwich.

Caramelised onions

Slicing the Onions:

Before you begin cooking, you'll want to slice your onions. Using a sharp knife, cut the onions into thin, even slices. This will help ensure that they cook evenly.

Cooking Methods:

Slow Cooker Method:

One of the easiest ways to achieve caramelised onions is to use a slow cooker. Simply slice your onions, toss them in oil or butter, and place them in the slow cooker for around eight hours. This method requires minimal attention, as you only need to stir the onions occasionally.

Traditional Stovetop Method:

If you don't have a slow cooker, you can use a traditional stovetop method. This method requires more attention and time, but it will still deliver delicious results.

• Heat a knob of butter or a generous amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Cast iron or steel pans work best for this method.
• Add your sliced onions to the pan and let them cook for about five minutes without stirring. This will allow the onions to start browning and develop flavour.
• After five minutes, add a splash of water to the pan and continue cooking for another five minutes. The steam from the water will help speed up the caramelisation process.
• Continue cooking the onions for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they reach your desired level of doneness. If the onions start to dry out, add a few tablespoons of water to the pan to prevent burning.

High-Heat Method:

Some people prefer to cook their onions for Philly cheesesteaks at higher temperatures, which results in a different texture and flavour. This method is faster and can be done in a pan or on a griddle.

• Heat a generous amount of oil in a hot pan or griddle over medium-high heat.
• Add your sliced onions and cook at high heat until they develop a decent amount of colour. Keep them moving in the pan to prevent burning. This step should take about five minutes.
• Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and add a few tablespoons of butter to the pan.
• Slowly adjust the heat until the onions are simmering, and then let them cook for about an hour, stirring every 10 minutes, until they reach your desired level of caramelisation.

Tips for Success:

• To speed up the caramelisation process, you can add a pinch of sugar to the onions while they cook.
• If you want to enhance the process further, add a sprinkle of salt and baking soda to the onions after placing them in the pan. This will draw out moisture and concentrate the sugars, accelerating the caramelisation.
• For true caramelised onions, avoid cooking at high heat. This will burn the onions before they have a chance to properly caramelise.
• If you're short on time, you can also use fried onions as a topping. Simply cook the onions at high heat until they're browned, and then let them sit until you're ready to assemble your cheesesteak.

Storage and Reheating:

If you're preparing your onions ahead of time, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days or freeze them for up to two months. To reheat, simply place the desired amount of onions in a pan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl until hot.

Now you're equipped with the knowledge to prepare delicious caramelised onions for your Philly cheesesteak! Remember, the key to success is patience and temperature control. Enjoy crafting this classic American dish!

Herbs and spices

Black pepper is a popular choice, adding a sharp kick to the dish. Chili powder is also used to bring some heat, while onion powder and garlic powder provide a savoury, pungent note. Dried herbs such as thyme, marjoram, and basil are often added for an extra layer of flavour. These dried herbs are convenient as they are readily available and can be stored for long periods without losing their potency.

Fresh herbs can also be used, such as parsley, rosemary, or thyme, but these are more perishable and need to be used in larger quantities to have a similar impact on the dish.

When preparing a Philly cheesesteak, the herbs and spices are typically mixed together with salt and then sprinkled over the steak, which has been cut into thin strips. This seasoning mixture ensures that each bite of the sandwich is packed with flavour.

In addition to the herbs and spices, other ingredients such as caramelized onions, bell peppers, and cheese are also key components of a Philly cheesesteak. The combination of these ingredients creates a delicious and hearty sandwich that has become a classic American dish.

Hoagie rolls

To make hoagie rolls, you will need the following ingredients:

• Warm water
• Instant yeast
• Granulated sugar
• Honey
• All-purpose flour
• Egg
• Milk
• Salt
• Butter

The dough is prepared by mixing the warm water, yeast, sugar, and honey together and letting it foam up. The flour, salt, and butter are then added, and the mixture is kneaded until it becomes a soft and silky dough. The dough is then shaped into hoagie rolls, left to rise, and baked until golden.

Garlic mayo

Philly Cheesesteaks are a classic American dish, and while the choice of cheese can be a matter of much debate, the right dressing can also make or break this iconic sandwich. A popular choice is garlic mayo, which adds a creamy texture and a tangy flavour to the sandwich. Here's how to make it.

Ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Oregano

Method:

Start by combining mayonnaise and minced garlic in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate this mixture. Next, heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute your choice of beef until lightly browned. You can use ribeye, sirloin, or round steak, ensuring it is cut into thin strips.

Now, stir in some green bell peppers and onions, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, then remove from the heat.

Assembly:

Take your hoagie rolls, split them lengthwise, and toast them. Spread each bun generously with the garlic mayonnaise. Divide the beef mixture into the buns, and top with shredded mozzarella cheese and a sprinkle of oregano.

Finally, place the sandwiches on a baking pan and heat them in the oven until the cheese is melted or slightly browned.

Tips:

Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic in the mayo to your taste preferences. You can also add other ingredients to the mayo, such as yellow mustard, sugar, garlic powder, and black pepper, to create a sweet garlic mayo.

Additionally, while some recipes call for shredded mozzarella, you can use other cheeses like provolone or American cheese, depending on your preference.

So, there you have it! A mouth-watering Philly Cheesesteak with garlic mayo—a delicious and easy-to-make sandwich that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Frequently asked questions