Manitoba Cheesesteak Sandwiches from Darcy in the Kitchen

 Darcy's Manitoba Cheesesteak Sandwich

Philadelphia has their Cheesesteak Sandwich and now, thanks to my daughter Darcy, Manitoba has ours.

As the name implies, a cheesesteak sandwich has something to do with cheese and something to do with beef. The cheese in this Manitoba version is provolone and the steak is roast beef, and they both came thinly sliced from the deli counter at the grocery store. Darcy adds lots of sautéed mushrooms and garlic, caramelized onions and some bell pepper strips. And then there is the option (though Darcy would probably say it’s not optional) of melting your favourite cheez-in-a-jar and drizzling it liberally over everything. She used submarine rolls, but you can cut up some Italian or French bread for your sandwich base.

To me the ingredients are a wee bit pricey for a sandwich, especially the provolone and the deli roast beef. But you really get a lot of food and a ton of taste so it’s well worth it. This makes up four very large and delicious sandwiches. You will not be hungry after eating one.

Darcy’s Manitoba Cheesesteak Sandwiches

 Preheat oven to 375º F.

4 large submarine or sausage buns, slice horizontally if they aren’t already sliced

extra virgin olive oil

2 white onions, sliced thin

1 green bell pepper, cut into strips

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

4 tsps minced garlic

2 cups fresh mushrooms, sliced

1 to 1 ½ lbs deli roast beef, sliced thin

½ to ¾ lb provolone cheese, sliced thin

cheez in a jar, melted (optional)

Stir some love into the onions and peppers

In a large frying pan on medium-high heat, add enough olive oil to just cover the bottom of the pan. Add onions and sauté until very soft. Add peppers and garlic and continue sautéing until all are softened, about ten minutes, stirring often with love. Remove to a bowl and keep warm.

Sauteed mushrooms waiting for assembly

Add mushrooms to frying pan and sauté until nicely browned. (Note: you can cook the mushrooms with the onions and peppers if you like. Not everyone at our house enjoys mushrooms, so we cook them separately.) Remove to a bowl and keep warm.

Warm the roast beef slices

Place roast beef slices in frying pan and sauté for a few minutes until they are warmed through and softened.

If using the cheez in a jar, melt some in a bowl and keep it warm for drizzling. We used the microwave but a double boiler would work, too.

On a large baking tray, open out the four buns and assemble the sandwiches using the onions and peppers, mushrooms, roast beef, and melted cheez. Finish with a layer of provolone.

Place in oven until the provolone is nicely melted.   

Serve immediately.

Printable Recipe for Darcy's Manitoba Cheesesteak Sandwiches

Now that's a big sandwich!