Andy Montoya
Chopped cheese is a type of sandwich that originated in New York City. It is made with ground beef, American cheese, and toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments on a hero roll. The sandwich gets its name from the process of chopping the ground beef and mixing it with the cheese on a grill. While the origins of the sandwich are debated, it is generally believed to have first appeared in a Spanish Harlem bodega called Hajji's Deli, also known as Blue Sky Deli.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meat | Ground beef |
| Meat type | Lean, standard, or 80/20 blend |
| Meat preparation | Fried, chopped, and mixed with onions |
| Cheese | American |
| Cheese preparation | Melted and chopped into the meat mixture |
| Bread | Hoagie roll or hero roll |
| Bread preparation | Toasted with mayonnaise |
| Toppings | Lettuce, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, mayo, and/or peppers |
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What You'll Learn
Ground beef is the meat used for chopped cheese
The "chopped" part of the name refers to the finely chopped ground beef before the cheese is added. The beef is cooked on a griddle or skillet over medium-low heat, and slowly cooked so the fat renders out. It is regularly stirred and broken up as it cooks, until it is in crumbles but not fully cooked. After the beef is browned, onions and garlic are added and cooked in the rendered fat. The beef filling is then seasoned with salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
Ground beef is used instead of steak in a cheesesteak sandwich, making it easier to prepare at home. The beef is typically seasoned with adobo, salt, pepper, and garlic. The cheese used is usually sliced American cheese, but other options include mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and provolone. The sandwich is often served with shredded lettuce, mayo, ketchup, and tomatoes.
Chopped cheese is a type of deconstructed hamburger, with the ground beef mixture served on a roll. It is a quick and easy meal to prepare, taking only about 30 minutes. The beef can be cooked in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to two months.
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The beef is usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic
Chopped cheese is a type of sandwich that originated in New York City. It is made with ground beef, cheese, and various toppings and seasonings. The beef is typically cooked on a griddle or skillet and then chopped or crumbled before being mixed with other ingredients.
The beef in a chopped cheese sandwich is typically seasoned with a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic. Some people may also add other seasonings such as Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, or cayenne pepper to enhance the flavour of the beef. The beef is usually seasoned after it has been cooked and chopped, allowing the seasonings to be evenly distributed throughout the meat.
While some people prefer to use pre-formed hamburger patties, others start with ground beef and form it into a patty before cooking. The beef is typically cooked over medium to medium-high heat until it is browned and fully cooked through, with no pink meat remaining.
Once the beef is cooked, it is then chopped or crumbled into small pieces. This step gives the sandwich its name, as the "chopped" part refers to the finely chopped beef before the cheese is added. The beef is then mixed with other ingredients such as onions, which are often sautéed or caramelized before being added to the beef.
The seasonings used in the beef play a crucial role in enhancing the overall flavour of the sandwich. The combination of salt, pepper, and garlic provides a savoury and slightly spicy kick to the beef, complementing the other ingredients in the sandwich. Some people may also add additional seasonings to their taste, such as hot sauce or cayenne pepper, to give the sandwich an extra kick.
Overall, the beef in a chopped cheese sandwich is typically seasoned with a combination of salt, pepper, and garlic, with room for customization according to personal preference. This simple yet flavourful seasoning blend helps to elevate the taste of the sandwich, making it a beloved and iconic dish in New York City.
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The beef is cooked on a flat-top griddle in a bodega
Chopped cheese is a beloved NYC sandwich made with ground beef, American cheese, and toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. It is often sold in bodegas and made on a flat-top griddle.
The beef used for a chopped cheese sandwich is typically ground beef, which is cooked on a flat-top griddle in a bodega. The flat-top griddle provides a large cooking surface that is ideal for preparing the ground beef. The beef is usually seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and sometimes Worcestershire sauce. Some people also add onions and garlic to their ground beef, allowing the vegetables to cook in the rendered fat from the beef.
To cook the beef on a flat-top griddle, the griddle is preheated to medium-high heat. The beef is then placed on the griddle and cooked until browned. It is important to note that the beef should not be flipped back onto the same spot on the griddle, as this area will be cooler and can affect the sear. Instead, it should be flipped onto an empty space on the griddle. Once the beef is cooked through, it is chopped into small pieces using a spatula.
The flat-top griddle in a bodega provides a quick and efficient way to cook the beef for the chopped cheese sandwich. The griddle's large surface area allows for multiple patties or batches of ground beef to be cooked simultaneously, making it a practical choice for high-volume sandwich preparation. Additionally, the griddle's heat distribution and retention properties ensure consistent cooking results, contributing to the distinctive taste and texture of the chopped cheese sandwich.
While the flat-top griddle is commonly used in bodegas for preparing chopped cheese sandwiches, at home, a skillet or pan can be used as an alternative to achieve similar results.
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The chopped cheese sandwich is served on a hero roll or hoagie roll
The chopped cheese sandwich is a New York City specialty, specifically associated with Harlem. It is served on a hero roll or hoagie roll and is filled with ground beef, onions, and cheese, along with toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments. The sandwich is said to have originated in a Spanish Harlem bodega called Hajji's Deli, also known as Blue Sky Deli, in the 1990s.
The hero roll or hoagie roll is an essential part of the chopped cheese sandwich experience. These rolls are typically longer and softer, providing the perfect vessel for the hearty filling. The rolls are often toasted and spread with mayonnaise to add a creamy texture and extra flavour.
The ground beef used in the sandwich is usually cooked on a griddle or skillet and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. Some recipes call for pre-formed hamburger patties, while others suggest breaking apart the beef into smaller pieces as it cooks. The beef is then mixed with sautéed or caramelized onions, which cook in the beef's rendered fat, adding a sweet and savoury dimension to the sandwich.
The cheese in a chopped cheese sandwich is typically American cheese, sliced or shredded, and melted to perfection. It is added to the beef and onion mixture, and then chopped or mixed together. This step gives the sandwich its name, as the cheese is literally chopped into the meat.
Once the beef, onion, and cheese mixture is ready, it is generously piled into the hero or hoagie roll. The roll is then wrapped in foil or deli paper, giving it an authentic look and helping to contain the messy, delicious filling. The chopped cheese sandwich is a hearty, flavourful, and iconic dish that has gained popularity beyond its New York City roots.
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The sandwich is topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments
The chopped cheese sandwich is a New York City specialty, often credited to Spanish Harlem's Hajji's Deli, also known as Blue Sky Deli. It is made with ground beef, American cheese, and toppings such as shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and condiments. The sandwich gets its name from the process of chopping the ground beef patty and mixing it with onions and cheese.
The beef patty is cooked on a flat-top griddle or skillet over medium-low heat. It is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Some recipes also call for diced or sliced onions, which can be sautéed first and then mixed with the beef, or added directly to the pan to cook in the rendered fat from the beef. The beef should be broken up and chopped as it cooks, and it is ready when there is no more pink meat in the centre.
Once the beef is cooked, it is time to add the cheese. American cheese is the traditional choice, but any type of cheese will work. The cheese is placed on top of the beef and allowed to melt, and then it is chopped into the beef mixture. The sandwich is then assembled by spreading mayonnaise on a hero roll or hoagie bun and adding the beef-cheese mixture.
Finally, the sandwich is topped with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and additional condiments. The lettuce can be iceberg or romaine, depending on preference. Common condiments include ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, and mayonnaise. The sandwich can also be wrapped in foil or deli paper to give it an authentic look and help hold its shape.
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Frequently asked questions
Chopped cheese uses ground beef.
Lean or standard ground beef works best. An 80/20 or 85/15 blend of ground beef is ideal as it has plenty of fat.
You can use pre-formed hamburger patties instead of ground beef.
The chopped cheese sandwich is said to have originated in New York City, specifically in a Spanish Harlem bodega called Hajji's Deli, also known as Blue Sky Deli.
Chopped cheese uses ground beef while cheesesteaks use slivered steak. Chopped cheese usually has fresh vegetables like lettuce and tomatoes, whereas cheesesteaks only have cooked vegetables.
