Meet the Meatiest French Dip Sandwich—however Maintain the Beef

For a lot of of my adolescence, my household suffered via my dad’s hippie vegetarian phases. Earlier than you decide me too harshly for criticizing my dad’s cooking makes an attempt, take into account that this was the ’80s and ’90s, when plant-based diets weren’t as prevalent within the US as they’re right now. My dad’s culinary expertise had been additionally…restricted. Meals had been normally a tragic combination of overcooked brown rice, mushy steamed greens, and some scattered cashews. However whereas these dinners did not win me over then, they planted a seed. Years later, after some on-and-off flirtations with vegetarianism, I’ve come to see greens not simply as sides, however as the guts of a meal.

That is why I really like this vegetarian French dip sandwich. It is not attempting to mimic the unique LA basic, with its thinly sliced beef and wealthy jus. As a substitute, it is its personal factor—a deeply savory, satisfying sandwich that simply occurs to be meatless. Mushroom lovers and flexitarian omnivores alike can be into this one.

Construct Deeply Savory Taste With out Meat

The success of this sandwich begins with the suitable mushrooms—utilizing a mixture of mushrooms provides the sandwich complexity when it comes to each taste and texture. Meaty, sliced portobellos are first seared in a scorching skillet till deeply browned. After that, you layer in quite a lot of flavorful mushrooms—cremini, oyster, shiitake, trumpet, even beech if you happen to’ve acquired them. The bottom line is to work in small batches so the mushrooms sear, reasonably than steam. Overcrowding = soggy mushrooms, and no person needs that. Correct browning builds taste and provides the mushrooms a juicy, chewy chew.

To amp up the depth of taste and umami punch much more, I add rehydrated dried porcini mushrooms. Soak them in scorching water till softened, then chop and put aside. Do not toss that soaking liquid—it is liquid gold and turns into the spine of your jus.

A Wealthy Vegetarian Jus That Rivals the Unique

From right here, it is all about constructing layers of taste for the sauce. After the mushrooms are browned, aromatics akin to onions, garlic, and recent thyme are added to the pan. A spoonful of tomato paste provides much more umami and provides the sauce physique. Then it is all about deglazing: I choose dry vermouth for its herby, barely citrusy edge, however dry white wine works simply as properly. Stir within the reserved porcini soaking liquid (this packs a number of taste) and your favourite vegetable or mushroom broth, and simmer till the sauce thickens barely.

What you find yourself with is an intensely savory, velvety jus—excellent for dunking. It is wealthy with out being heavy, and layered with earthy, herby, nearly meaty flavors.

Ideas for Assembling the Excellent Sandwich

The meeting for this sandwich is similar to a standard French dip: Use good-quality French or hoagie rolls and toast them flippantly earlier than filling. Then pile on the mushroom combination with tongs or a slotted spoon (you need the filling, not the liquid right here). Prime with slices of sharp aged provolone or Swiss cheese, then broil till the cheese is melted and effervescent. Serve the remaining jus in small bowls on the aspect, and you’ve got a sandwich that delivers all the comfortable, dip-it-yourself pleasure of the basic—no beef required.

I want this sandwich had been on the desk throughout these early vegetarian years. It is hearty, tacky, and satisfying, with wealthy taste and loads of textural distinction. And whereas it is meatless, it would not really feel prefer it’s lacking something. When you’ve been dreaming of a French dip however need to maintain it vegetarian—or simply need a shroomier model once in a while—this one delivers.

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