Legendary Eats Season 4 Marathon

Insider Food57 minutes read

Halal Guys in New York serves a combo platter with golden yellow rice, marinated chicken, and beef gyro, topped with secret white and spicy red sauces. Miami's Cuban sandwich features marinated lechon and sweet ham on Cuban bread with homemade spicy mustard and pickles, served pressed until warm and crisp.

Insights

  • Halal Guys in New York offers a combo platter with marinated chicken, beef gyro, and secret white and spicy red sauces, prepared with meticulous attention to detail like 45-minute stirred basmati rice and 12-hour marinated chicken.
  • Miami's Cuban sandwich, influenced by the region's Cuban population, emphasizes homemade ingredients like spicy mustard and lard for flavor enhancement, maintaining authenticity with a strict no-mayo policy and balanced flavors of lechon, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
  • Xi'an Famous Foods in New York showcases spicy cumin lamb noodles, reflecting Silk Road influences with 30-spice lamb and hand-pulled noodles, prioritizing spreading Chinese culture and tradition through flavorful, chewy dishes.

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Recent questions

  • What are the key ingredients in a New Jersey Sloppy Joe?

    Turkey, roast beef, coleslaw, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese.

  • What is the secret to Halal Guys' white sauce?

    Mayo, black pepper, vinegar, other ingredients.

  • How is the lamb prepared in Xi'an Famous Foods' spicy cumin lamb noodles?

    Cooked with 30 spices, chili oil, sliced thin.

  • What makes the Cuban sandwich in Miami unique?

    Homemade spicy mustard, lard, no mayo.

  • How does Johnny's in Elmwood Park prepare its Italian beef sandwiches?

    Roast lean beef, secret spice mix, sliced thin.

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Summary

00:00

"Legendary American Dishes Explored in 2020"

  • Explored 11 legendary dishes across the U.S. in 2020, including Italian beef sandwiches in Chicago and Cuban sandwiches in Miami.
  • Halal Guys in New York serve a combo platter with golden yellow rice, marinated chicken, and beef gyro, topped with secret white and spicy red sauces.
  • Basmati rice for the platter is stirred for over 45 minutes in 40-pound batches, while the chicken marinates for 12 hours in a secret herb and lemon mix.
  • Beef gyro is half-cooked on a vertical spit with traditional spices, then chopped into squares for serving.
  • The secret white sauce at Halal Guys is a mix of mayo, black pepper, vinegar, and other ingredients, while the red sauce is extremely spicy.
  • Halal Guys started 30 years ago in Manhattan, catering to Muslim cab drivers, and has become a staple for New Yorkers and visitors.
  • Johnny's in Elmwood Park, Chicago, is known for its Italian beef sandwiches, offering options like juicy, dry, or dipped in beefy juices.
  • Johnny's beef starts with roasting 300 pounds of lean beef with a secret spice mix, then slicing it thin for sandwiches.
  • Cuban sandwiches in Miami feature marinated lachon and sweet ham on Cuban bread, pressed until warm and crisp.
  • The ham is cured for seven days, while the lachon marinates for one to two days before roasting, creating a flavorful combination.

15:06

Authentic Cuban Sandwich: Water, Lard, Mustard

  • Water is crucial for the authenticity of the Cuban sandwich, with lard playing a significant role in enhancing flavor and texture.
  • Miami's Cuban sandwich includes homemade spicy mustard instead of yellow mustard, with a strict no-mayo policy to preserve authenticity.
  • The sandwich consists of equal parts lechon and ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and a drizzle of mustard, all pressed on a plancha.
  • The separation of mustard and pickles is emphasized to avoid overpowering flavors, ensuring a balanced taste.
  • Lard from the ham and lechon is used to glaze the sandwich, providing a high heat index without burning, resulting in tender meat and crisp bread.
  • Miami's Cuban population influences the popularity of the Cuban sandwich, making it a cultural staple in the region.
  • The focus on homemade ingredients, from pickles to mustard, elevates the traditional Cuban sandwich to a gourmet level.
  • Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, DC, serves the iconic half smoke, a half pork, half beef sausage with yellow mustard, onions, and homemade chili sauce.
  • The chili sauce preparation involves simmering ground beef, onions, and peppers for hours to develop a rich and creamy texture.
  • Peter Pan's Donuts in Brooklyn is renowned for its handcrafted yeast donuts, made from scratch with meticulous attention to detail and quality ingredients.

29:43

Donut Making Process and Popular Flavors

  • Proof about 35 donuts, frying each side for about a minute until golden brown.
  • Yeast doughnuts go directly to the glazing station, while cake doughnuts need to cool to avoid breaking.
  • Bakers line up 10 donuts on a rod, submerge them in honey glaze, and hang the rod on metal hooks for even coating.
  • Popular donut flavors include blueberry buttermilk sourdough, honey dipped, and red velvet cake.
  • Glazed donuts are a classic favorite due to their simplicity, airy texture, and perfect glaze.
  • Pork roll egg and cheese sandwich consists of six slices of pork roll, fried eggs, and American cheese on a kaiser roll.
  • Pork roll, also known as Taylor ham, is a smoked, salty, and oily processed meat popular in New Jersey.
  • Pork roll is sliced thick to maintain texture and cooked on a flat top for 3-4 minutes.
  • Beignets at Cafe Du Monde are made from a special pastry dough fried in cottonseed oil and coated in powdered sugar.
  • Hibarito sandwich in Chicago features fried plantains, marinated steak, American cheese, and garlic, creating a unique texture and flavor combination.

48:47

Amy Ruth's Harlem Chicken and Waffles

  • Chicken wallpaper not a southern staple, originates from Harlem, where America is a popular destination.
  • Amy Ruth's chicken preparation begins with a secret spice blend, pre-seasoned 24 hours in advance for flavor.
  • Chicken is dredged in flour by Sister Jeanette to ensure even coverage for crispiness.
  • Chicken fries for about 12 minutes until it floats to the top, indicating readiness.
  • Amy Ruth's signature waffle is made 24 hours in advance for optimal taste and digestion.
  • Waffle batter includes vanilla, cinnamon, brown sugar, flour, and a secret ingredient for fluffiness.
  • Batter is whisked until smooth, left to expand, then cooked in an iron for 3 minutes per scoop.
  • Amy Ruth's dishes pay tribute to famous black figures, with hundreds of orders weekly.
  • Food at Amy Ruth's is light, flavorful, and crunchy, needing minimal condiments.
  • Daily Meal recognized Amy Ruth's for the second-best chicken and waffles in the country in 2017.
  • Xi'an Famous Foods in New York serves spicy cumin lamb noodles, a unique dish blending lamb and hand-pulled noodles.
  • Noodles are made from a simple dough mixture of flour, water, and salt, pulled to order for optimal chewiness.
  • Lamb is cooked with a blend of 30 spices and chili oil, sliced thin for flavor absorption.
  • Noodles are cooked in boiling water, then combined with lamb, veggies, noodle sauce, and more chili oil.
  • Xi'an cuisine is influenced by the Silk Road, offering fragrant spices and unique flavors.
  • Xi'an Famous Foods started small in Flushing, expanding to 10 locations due to loyal customers.
  • Customers appreciate the flavorful, spicy dishes and the chewy noodles that complement the sauce.
  • The restaurant aims to spread Chinese culture through its food, prioritizing impact over financial gain.
  • The owner and his father debate who makes better noodles, emphasizing quality and tradition.
  • New Jersey's Sloppy Joe is a unique sandwich with turkey, roast beef, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese on rye bread.
  • Pullman rye bread is used for its square shape, sliced thinly for the sandwich.
  • The New Jersey Sloppy Joe is often mistaken for the traditional ground beef sandwich, causing confusion among customers.
  • The sandwich is a significant part of New Jersey's culinary identity, distinct from the typical sloppy joe.
  • The preparation involves layering turkey, roast beef, coleslaw, Russian dressing, and Swiss cheese on three slices of rye bread.
  • The unique combination of ingredients has made the New Jersey Sloppy Joe a legendary dish in the region.

01:04:08

Authentic Rye Sandwich with Secret Russian Dressing

  • Town Hall Deli uses bread from a bakery that incorporates actual caraway seeds in the dough, providing a more authentic flavor compared to rye flavoring commonly used in other bakeries.
  • The popular sandwich at Town Hall Deli, "The Favorite," consists of roast beef and turkey slices on rye bread, layered with dry coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and a secret Russian dressing made in-house.
  • The Russian dressing, a blend of mayo, ketchup, and vinegar, is a standout element in the sandwich, offering a creamy and tangy flavor, while the butter spread on the top slice prevents sogginess and adds flavor.
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