Portabella Mushroom & Onion Poutine Open-Faced Hot Sandwich

Portabella Mushroom & Onion Poutine Open-Faced Hot Sandwich is everything good about a vegetarian hot roast "beef" sandwich and a bowl of poutine--bread, gravy, fries, onions, "beef" (mushrooms) and cheese curds.  

Funny how things work out.  This delicious meal came about by a number things.

1. I came across a meme on Facebook of a giant platter of poutine.  
2. Discussed poutine on FB with friends.  All agreed we love the stuff.
3. Watched British TV and someone was eating a Chip Butty. (French fry sandwich)
4. I bought a package of portabella mushrooms that needed to be used right away.
5. Decided to fry the mushrooms with onions as a side dish.
6. Changed my mind and thought they'd make a great vegetarian hot roast "beef" sandwich with French fries.
7. While chopping the onions and slicing the mushrooms it all came together in my head with the poutine, the hot sandwich and the chip butty.
8. Made it, loved it, named it, blogging about it now, ha, ha. 

It was last night that I made this for the first time.  I thought it drool-worthy enough to make again and as I had two of the large portabella mushrooms still waiting to be eaten we had it again today for dinner.  And if I had two more mushrooms I might have had it again for supper.  

Portabella Mushroom & Onion Poutine Open-Faced Hot Sandwich is everything good about a vegetarian hot roast "beef" sandwich and a bowl of poutine--bread, gravy, fries, onions, "beef" (mushrooms) and cheese curds.  Everything that'll kill you but you'll die with a smile on your face.  Actually, it's not that bad because some of those ingredients are really healthy.  Even the gravy could be fat-free.  Does it sound like I'm trying to justify the eating of this wonderful meal? Well, I'm not.  Bread, mushrooms and onions are good for you.  

If you'd like to try this delicious creation the recipe is below.  Make sure you make enough because you might want to go back for seconds. Ideally, for the best flavour, the French fries should be deep fried but if you want to make them in an air fryer or in the oven go right ahead.  Cheese curds are expensive and sometimes hard to find so a pizza-style Mozzarella cheese will make a good substitute.

Printable recipe at end of post.

Portabella Mushroom & Onion Poutine Open-Faced Hot Sandwich

• 2 or more cups vegetarian brown gravy, homemade or mix
• 4 servings French fries
• 4-6 large Portabella mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped or sliced
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Steak spice to taste
• 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, optional
• 4 slices white or whole wheat bread
• 1 cup cheese curds or cubed or grated Mozzarella cheese

How to make it:
Make gravy and keep warm. You may use a mix or make my Brown Onion Gravy

Make the French fries and keep warm in the oven if they are ready before the mushroom and onions. 

In a large frying pan, over medium-high burner, heat the oil and add the sliced mushrooms and onions. Season with salt, pepper and steak seasoning.  Sauté until the vegetables are soft and are starting to caramelize.  Stir in the Worcestershire sauce if using.  Keep warm while assembling sandwiches.

If the gravy has cooled, turn up the heat and bring to a simmer.  It must be hot to melt the cheese.

Lay a slice of bread on each of four dinner-sized plates.  Divide the hot French fries into four portions and pile on top of each slice of bread.  Sprinkle each pile of fries with ¼ cup of cheese.  Pour about ½ cup or more gravy over each serving.  Divide the mushrooms and onions into four portions and top the fries.  

Serve with ketchup and/or malt vinegar. 

Makes 4 servings.

If the mushrooms are not huge use six instead of four.  I made two servings and used two mushrooms.  They could have been bigger, ha.

 Clean and slice the mushrooms.  Chop the onions.

 Heat the oil and add the onions and mushrooms. Season with salt, pepper and steak spice.

 Season to taste.  

 If you wish, add a little vegetarian Worcestershire sauce.

Almost ready. Sauté the vegetables until soft and starting to show some caramelization.

Bring the gravy back to a simmer if it has cooled off.  You'll need it scalding hot to melt the cheese.

Lay a slice of bread on the plate, pile with French fries and sprinkle with cheese.  I used pizza-style Mozzarella cheese because I don't keep cheese curds in the fridge unless I plan ahead, ha, ha.

 Pour the very hot gravy over the bread, fries and cheese.

The hot fries and gravy will start to melt the cheese curds or Mozarella cheese cubes.

Divide the mushroom and onions into four portions and pile them on top of the fries.

 Pass the malt vinegar and ketchup.  Make a full meal with a salad and vegetable.

Where's my fork?

 Such comfort food one mouthful after another.  

To print click on arrow upper right side.⇩