The Springfield Horseshoe
Source of Recipe
the web
Recipe Introduction
The Springfield Horseshoe Sandwich was created at the Old Leland Hotel in 1928 by Joe Schweska and Steve Tomko. For years the only recipe that existed was "a pinch of this and a little of that."
It wasn't until a Christmas edition of the State Journal Register in 1939 that Chef Schweska finally revealed the secret. The name "horseshoe" was derived from the shape of the cut of ham used in the original sandwich. The French fries represent the nails of the shoe and the sizzle platter represents at hot anvil.
The sandwich is made by laying two pieces of toast on a pre-heated platter, then placing the meat on the toast, covering the entire sandwich with cheese sauce, circling the platter with French fries. Add a dash of paprika for color and you have created a horsehoe.
As a reult of the popularity of the oringal ham verion, Chefs Schweska and Tomko produced endless variations including ham and egg, all egg, hamburger, ham and chicken, chicken, bacon, shrimp, turkey, corned beef. The possibilities are limited only by the chef's imagination.
While the ingredients can vary from the original, all the experts (and there are many of them) agree that the key is the sauce.
The secret is a sharp Old English Cheddar or a good Colby Longhorn cheese, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco for the adventurous.
The Sauce Is The Thing:
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup beer
2 tablespoons butter
3 Cups grated sharp Old English or Colby Longhorn Cheese
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of cayenne pepper
Beat the egg yolk and beer together. Melt the butter and cheese over boiling water, stirring in one direction only with a wooden spoon.
Add the seasonings. Stirring constantly, add the beer and egg mixture a little at a time. Keep the mixture piping hot as you stir; but don't let it bubble. Constant stirring and the very best cheese will yield a smooth, uncurdled mixture.
Horseshoes
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cups light cream or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, sharp or mild
Melt butter in saucepan. Blend in flour and cook over low heat until mixture is smooth and bubbly. Remove from heat; stir in salt, pepper, cream, cayenne, and cheese. Return to heat, stirring constantly to make a smooth sauce. Keep warm until sandwiches are assembled.
8 slices bread, toasted
Cooked French fries
Sliced or shaved ham, chicken, or turkey or cooked ground beef patty
Place 2 slices of toast on serving plate; top with meat of your choice and cover with cheese sauce. Mound French fries on top. Serve immediately.
Note: A smaller sandwich, using only 1 slice of toast, is a Ponyshoe.
|
|
member logon
