"cheesesteak" news and stories

Phillies scrapple. Photo: Melody Kramer, Flickr.

There is more to New York City and Philadelphia than cheesecake and cheesesteaks, but don't tell that to the U.S. Senate.

The most powerful elected representatives from both New York and Pennsylvania have made a polite World Series food wager on the eve of the baseball match-up. If the Phillies win, Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey will get New York cheesecake. If the Yankees win, Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kristen Gillibrand get Philly cheesesteaks.

What cliché and unoriginal choices, especially since both those old standbys can be found in the food court of any American mall. They don't accurately reflect the soul of either city. What two foods best sum up these two complex metropolises?

Philly cheesesteak. Photo: SauceSupreme, Flickr

• Haute chef Georges Perrier and his eatery Le Bec-Fin are put to the cheesesteak test by author/ expert Carolyn Wyman.
• The delicious discovery of "Freakies" -- misshapen donut rejects stuffed in a paper bag.
• Four cities to hit for brewskis -- Cooperstown, N.Y., San Diego, Calif., Milwaukee, Wis., and Rehoboth Beach, Del.
• The Inquirer offers a whole slew of culinary-themed reads for hitting the beach.
• Restaurants band together to fight a new Liquor Control Board plan to start opening wine boutiques in gourmet grocery stores.
• South Philly is getting a pizza SliCE come mid-August.
• Côtes du Rhone is the generic red for the vin on a budget.
  
• People might love cheap food when times are tight, but food carts are feeling the sting of the economy too.
• M Restaurant, part of the Morris House Hotel, offers a menu prime for post-work snacking, plus other restaurant spots from Sycamore to Cafe Fresko.
• Recipes: Lemon Yogurt Poppy Seed Loaf, Grilled Zucchini and Halloumi Salad

It's funny. A Philly Cheesesteak, or variety thereof, is a popular part of our fast-food culture ... but do you ever try to whip it up at home? It's one of the easiest and quickest meals you can make -- save maybe some cold cuts on a slice of bread.

A cheesesteak is simply sliced beef, onions, peppers, and possibly mushrooms sauteed and slathered in cheese. The only spices and additional flavors are salt, pepper, and garlic. Slice everything quite thin, saute, season, and pile on a piece of bread. That's it!

The easiest way to accomplish this is to quickly slice up half moons of onions and strips of pepper and saute them while you quickly slice the beef (as thin as you possibly can -- meaning that you should have a decently sharp knife, serated won't cut it!). The veggies should be done quickly, since they're thinly cut. When they're soft, take them out of the pan, quickly saute the beef, and then add the veggies back in with the cheese. When it's all a melted mass, it's ready for the bread. Viola!

The Today show is running a contest in which they are attempting to name the best sandwich in America. They solicited recommendations from all over the country and have now narrowed it down to the top five. The finalists are a New Orleans Muffuletta, Pastrami on Rye from Katz Deli, Vesuvio's Cheesesteak BLT, a Maine Lobster Roll and Chicago's Frenchy's Fantasy.

I'm really excited to see Philly made the list with the Cheesesteak BLT from Vesuvio's (although I must admit that I've never tried that particular sandwich). However, I am sort of surprised that there's no Primanti Bros. sandwich, as that's a fairly outrageous and delicious sandwich concoction. And, where are the options for vegetarians? I can't believe that there's not some amazing sandwich out there constructed of greens, cheese and eggplant. You can cast your vote here, but in the comments, why don't you tell us about your favorite sandwich.

I left the city limits of Philadelphia (something I hardly ever do) today to hit the Chester County Restaurant Festival with some friends. The city closes the bulk of their walkable central business district for the event and people pile out into the streets for eats, entertainment and rows of craft vendors. It was wall-to-wall people, which made it hard to check out all the available food options before making a selection. We chose the items we ate based strictly on how long the line was and how easily we'd be able to get in said line.

Despite the haphazard selection process, I think I wound up with a winner. A unique mashup of local Philly cuisine with classic American-Chinese food, I present you with the Cheesesteak Egg Roll (served with a side of Whiz). At first I disdained the side of Whiz, thinking that the inner cheese should be sufficient, but after the first taste, I was a convert (cheesesteaks are the only food item on which I eat Cheese Whiz without shame). Horrible for your arteries but wonderful to the taste buds, I think I'll be ready for another...in about a year.