Horseshoe Sandwich
Springfield, Illinois, USA
Springfield, Illinois' proudest and most absurd culinary creation: thick-cut toast topped with a choice of meat (usually ham or hamburger patties), blanketed in a rich Welsh rarebit cheese sauce, then buried under a mountain of french fries. The name comes from the shape of the original ham cut (horseshoe) and the fries standing in for nails. Invented in 1928 at the Leland Hotel, it remains a fiercely local obsession. Every restaurant in Springfield has its own version, and residents will argue endlessly about who makes the best cheese sauce. Order one anywhere else in Illinois and you'll get confused looks.
Ingredients
- 4 slicesThick-cut white bread (Texas toast style)
- 4 piecesHamburger patties (or thick-sliced ham)
- 300 gSharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 250 mlWhole milk
- 1 tspDry mustard powder
- 1 tbspWorcestershire sauce
- 0.25 tspCayenne pepper
- 60 mlBeer (lager)
- 500 gFrench fries (thick-cut, frozen or fresh)
- 2 tbspButter
Directions
- 1
Fry or bake the french fries until golden and crispy. Keep warm.
- 2
Cook the hamburger patties (or warm the ham slices) to your liking. Set aside.
- 3
For the Welsh rarebit sauce: melt butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add milk, beer, mustard powder, Worcestershire, and cayenne. Heat until steaming but not boiling.
- 4
Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar, a handful at a time, stirring constantly until you have a smooth, thick cheese sauce. Do not let it boil or it will break.
- 5
Toast the bread and place two slices on each plate.
- 6
Top each slice with a hamburger patty, then pile the hot french fries over everything.
- 7
Pour the cheese sauce generously over the entire construction. Serve immediately with a knife and fork.