5:30 Challenge
5 ingredients/30 minutes
Tonight’s solution
Sort-of Philly Cheese Steaks
To make the meal
Celery and carrot sticks
Sandwiches for dinner are always a hit at my house, especially hot, meaty ones. Our lunches tend to be leftovers, so a sandwich is actually something of a treat. I hadn’t thought about cheese steaks in ages, but last month’s Super Bowl put these hearty sandwiches back on my radar.
The cheese steak is claimed by Philadelphia, and there are as many variations as there are restaurants and stands that serve them. The traditional cuts of beef used are rib-eye or top round, but then the cook may add onions, peppers, mushrooms, pizza sauce or any number of other condiments. The cheese may be anything from provolone to Cheez Whiz.
In our recipe, packages of pre-cut peppers and onions sold as “fajita” mix in the salad section of the grocery store cut down on the prep. Asian markets and places that cater to a largely Asian or Hispanic clientele will offer pre-sliced meats that make this dish even easier.
A cheese steak is an easy sandwich to customize. Don’t want beef? Use chicken breast instead. Not a fan of provolone? Substitute Swiss or American or any other cheese that suits your taste. Can’t eat peppers? Leave them out.
Take the 5:30 Challenge. If you have a great-tasting main-dish recipe that uses no more than five ingredients and can be made in 30 minutes or less, tell us. (Salt, pepper, water and oil for greasing a pan don’t need to be included in the ingredient count.) You can also suggest a side dish if it can be made within the same time. Send recipes with your name, address and phone number to fivethirty@ajc.com.
Sort-of Philly Cheese Steaks
Hands on: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Serves: 4
1 (10-ounce) package pre-cut fresh onions and bell peppers
3/4 (three-quarters) pound top round steak, trimmed, cut into 1/2(half)-by-3-inch strips
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
8 slices reduced-fat provolone cheese (about 1/2 [half] pound)
4 whole-wheat hoagie rolls, sliced in half lengthwise
Preheat broiler. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place hoagie rolls on sheet, cut side up.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and peppers and cook, stirring often, for 7 minutes or until softened. In a small bowl, toss sliced beef with 1/4 (quarter) teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add beef to pan and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until cooked through. Stir in Worcestershire sauce; cook 1 minute.
Divide beef mixture between hoagie rolls, and place 2 slices cheese on each roll. Broil 1 minute or until cheese has melted.
Per serving: 524 calories (percent of calories from fat, 40), 34 grams protein, 43 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber, 23 grams fat (10 grams saturated), 76 milligrams cholesterol, 780 milligrams sodium.
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