Bauru (Brazilian Roast Beef & Melted Mozzarella Sandwich)

São Paulo's famous lunch-counter sandwich: a hollowed crusty roll with roast beef, tomato and pickles under a blanket of gooey melted mozzarella and a pinch of oregano.

Ingredients

• 4 crusty rolls
• 12 oz thinly sliced roast beef
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
• dill pickle chips

From your pantry: 2 tbsp water, ½ tsp dried oregano, salt.

Instructions

1. Split the rolls lengthwise and pull out some of the soft crumb from the top halves to make room for the cheese. Toast them cut side up under the broiler or in a skillet until lightly crisp, 2 minutes.
2. Warm the roast beef briefly in a dry skillet over medium heat, 1 minute, and layer it on the bottom halves. Top with tomato slices, a pinch of salt and oregano, and pickles.
3. Put the mozzarella and water in a small nonstick pan over low heat and stir until it melts into one stretchy mass, 2 to 3 minutes.
4. Spoon the hot cheese over the fillings, close the sandwiches and press gently. Serve right away.

Tip: Melting the cheese separately (Brazilians use a double boiler) is the trick that gives the bauru its signature molten layer. A Portuguese or French roll is closest to the original pão francês.

Nutrition per serving

Good for

Adapted from Simple Comfort Food.

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