Pastrami Sandwich: A film recipe

Although on this side of the Atlantic, pastrami is not really known well, most of us might have seen it in a sandwich, while a movie character eats it on some great New York avenue. Pastrami is a piece of meat, usually beef, cured in brine, and later, smoked. It is usually served thinly sliced, especially in sandwiches. There are also those who prefer to have it from the grill, or those who consume it "as is", without any accompaniment, like other traditional sausages such as ham, mortadella...

Origin

It is said that this product originated in Romania, and it came to the United States from Jewish emigrants in the mid-nineteenth century. In fact, its name comes from the Romanian verb păstra, which means "to keep" or "to conserve", because of the importance of brine as a method of meat preservation. This meat has a very close connection with Jewish cuisine, although the recipe has been popularised in many other countries, such as in Argentina, where it is called ‘pastrón’.

One of the things that has helped to make this dish popular is a famous scene from the movie When Harry Met Sally. The scene takes place in Katz’s Delicatessen, a real New York restaurant, famous for its pastrami sandwich.

How it is made

It is a veal that undergoes brine curing and then cooks through hot smoking. The meat is left in brine for a few days and after drying, some spices are added, and it is smoked, usually for about 12 hours. In this way, the meat is cooked, but retains its reddish colour, similar to the Anglo-Saxon roast beef. The joint is usually coated with spices such as black pepper, marjoram, basil and then cut into thin slices.

This tasty meat has a characteristic flavour that can be used in various snacks, sandwiches and other recipes.

Pastrami recipes 

Traditional Pastrami Sandwich 

Famous for being very similar to the one prepared in the famous Katz’s cafeteria in New York.

Ingredients (for 2 people)

• 10 slices de pastrami
• ½ onion
• 1 tbsp sugar
• A little Modena vinegar
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp mustard
• 1 cup grated Emmental
• 4 slices bread
  
  

Method

1.  Chop the onion and put it in the pan covered over low heat. When it is golden brown, add the sugar, the Modena vinegar, increase the heat and stir until caramelised.

2. Mix the onion with the butter and mustard in a bowl. Meanwhile, pass the pastrami through the same pan.

3. Spread the bread with butter and assemble the sandwiches with onion, pastrami and cheese. Put under the grill and ... enjoy!

It sounds good, doesn’t it? Well it tastes even better!