Roast Beef Sandwiches

So, there is a little Italian market & delicatessen near my parents house that makes the most amazing hot roast beef sandwiches that both my husband and I love. When I still lived with the rents they would go there about once a month to get a quick dinner so I would always make sure to be home that night! Not only is the food amazing, I love the market as well. There are a lot of Italian Markets in St. Louis but they're all on the Hill (an Italian area of town) which is fine but they're open shorter hours so I can't make it often. I love to go there though because it reminds me of hanging out with my nonno and going down to the Hill for Salami and Proscuitto and to turn in our recycling!

Anyway -the food - sorry! So, anyway, my husband and I love their Roast Beef Sandwiches - Festa Italiano sandwiches to be exact. They use Boar's Head Roast Beef and I'm sure they have it simmering in a thin garlicy gravy or something. Then they use a moist focaccia round and provel cheese (a St. Louis cheese - cheddar, swiss and provelone I believe). Once it's assembled it's baked until ooey gooey melty. SOOOOOO GOOOOODDDDD.... After a few attempts I was able to fake it out so we could make it whenever we crave it and the market is closed! Last night I actually made it as a Panini because I didn't want to add to the heat in the house so I am listing two sets of instructions - baked and grilled...


Festa Italiano (Panini Style)

Ingredients
3-tablespoon butter
1-teaspoon garlic, minced
1-tablespoon flour 2 cups beef broth 1 pound sliced roast beef 1 baguette, split lengthwise and sliced crosswise into 4 sections 4 ounces sliced Provel Cheese
Directions
1.) In a medium saucepan melt 1-tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook stirring for 1 to 2 minutes. Add in flour and cook one minute. Whisk in Beef broth
2.) Add roast beef to the sauce and warm over low heat.
3.) Preheat a non-stick grill pan (or Panini Press) over medium heat. Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons butter on the split sides of the bread. Using tongs, top half of the sections with the warm Roast Beef, reserving the sauce. Top with the cheese and remaining bread sections. Place the 4 Panini on the hot pan (or Press).
4.) If using a grill pan, weigh down sandwich with heavy skillet and cook 2-3 minutes, then flip and cook another 2-3 minutes, until cheese is melted.
5.) If using a panini press – cook sandwich for ~5 minutes until cheese is melted
6.) Remove the Panini from the heat and divide sauce among 4 small bowls for dipping.


Festa Italiano (Baked Style)
Ingredients
3-tablespoon butter
1-teaspoon garlic, minced
1-tablespoon flour 2 cups beef broth 1 pound sliced roast beef 1 baguette, split lengthwise and sliced crosswise into 4 sections 4 ounces sliced Provel Cheese
Directions
1.) In a medium saucepan melt 1-tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook stirring for 1 to 2 minutes. Add in flour and cook one minute. Whisk in Beef broth
2.) Add roast beef to the sauce and warm over low heat.
3.) Preheat oven to 350° and lightly grease a cookie/baking sheet. Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons butter on the split sides of the bread. Using tongs, top half of the sections with the warm Roast Beef, reserving the sauce. Top with the cheese and remaining bread sections. Place the 4 sandwiches the prepared baking sheet.
4.) Cook for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.Remove the sandwiched from the oven and divide sauce among 4 small bowls for dipping.