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bookmaker’s sandwich

bookmakerssam

When I first heard the name of this sandwich I was caught up in this beautiful romance trilogy set in Ireland. The author, Nora Roberts, had mesmerized me with the green, earthy setting of the place. One of the main characters owned and operated a charming pub and “built” bookmaker’s sandwiches for his customers, often accompanied by a tall, frothy pint of Guinness stout.

“What a romantic title for a sandwich!” I thought. I imagined someone in an ancient, dimly lit press room, making their own handmade paper flecked with flower petals, stitching books by hand, all the time wearing a bulky, hand-knit fisherman’s sweater and listening to harp music. Of course he or she would have to take a break for refreshment from time to time, and when they did they could enjoy a thick wedge of this hearty, filling sandwich with a steaming mug of black tea to go with it. Because these bookmakers of yore had access to book presses, the advent of this pressed sandwich made total sense to me.

You can imagine my disappointment when I found out the actual way this sandwich was named.

A bookmaker, or “bookie” is a person who bets on various sporting events and mainly horse races. Unable to leave his station during a meet or race, he had to have access to filling, substantial fare to get him through the day. Thus, the Bookmaker’s “Bookie” Sandwich was born.

A Bookmaker’s Sandwich is not only hearty, it’s HUGE and therefore sharable. It’s also portable, so if you’re not inclined to frequenting the race track, you could bring it on a camping trip, nature hike or picnic.

I recently read a review of bookmaker’s sandwiches where the author of the post was illustrating how to make one, all the time criticizing the idea of the sandwich as a whole. After trying the sandwich for myself, I have no idea what he could be talking about. It’s absolutely phenomenal.

To my way of thinking, a sandwich is indeed only as awesome as the sum or it’s parts. Therefore, use the best ingredients whenever possible and you won’t be disappointed. This is a “bready” sandwich, so be sure to serve it with plenty of **condiments such as: butter, grainy mustard, mayonnaise, black or white truffle-infused olive oil, mango chutney, marmalade, pickled banana peppers and/or pickled veggies. I also think this is a perfect sandwich to serve with your favorite soup or au jus sauce for dipping.

Follow the instructions in the link provided for the loaf of homemade bread pictured in this post. Otherwise, purchase the freshest, crustiest loaf you can find so it will hold up to the juicy fillings.

Traditionally the bookmaker’s sandwich (also known as a shooter sandwich) is made with grilled steaks cooked only until medium rare. Feel free to substitute steak for the medium rare roast beef in this recipe if you wish.

for one big, sharable sandwich (approximately 10 servings) :

1 large, round loaf rustic, crusty bread (I doubled THIS recipe)

1/4 cup real mayonnaise

2 Tablespoons creamy horseradish sauce

 1/4 cup beef broth or stock (divided)

salt and pepper

2 lb. medium rare roast beef, sliced thin

1/4 cup olive oil (divided)

1 large yellow onion, cut into quarters and sliced (or four peeled, chopped shallots)

16 oz. washed, sliced Portobello mushrooms

1/2 cup dry red wine

3 Tablespoons fresh thyme leaves

3 large cloves garlic, minced

3 to 4 Tablespoons grainy, country-style mustard or grainy Dijon

Heat 3 Tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet. Add mushrooms, onions and thyme.

Stir and saute until everything is golden-brown and sticky. Deglaze pan with the red wine.

Reduce mushroom mixture again until sticky and moisture is absorbed. Turn off heat. Set aside.

In a separate skillet, using the remaining olive oil, saute 3 large cloves of minced garlic for 1 minute (until golden and fragrant.) Turn off heat. Set aside.

sautemushonion

Cut a “cap” off the top of the bread loaf, remove excess bread from inside of cap and set cap aside. Hollow out loaf, leaving a 1/2 inch “wall.” Reserve bread from inside loaf and cap for another use (such as making stuffing or bread pudding.)

Drizzle 2 Tablespoons of the beef stock all over the inside of the loaf.

Slather the inside of the loaf with a mixture of the mayonnaise and horseradish.

Sprinkle inside of loaf with freshly ground pepper and salt (be generous with the pepper.)

horsemayo

Layer 1 lb. of the roast beef in the bottom of the loaf “bowl.”

firstlbbeef

Tamp meat down. Add the mushroom sauce mixture…

mushroomsauce

Sprinkle sauteed garlic over mushroom mixture…

sauteedgarlic

Top with the second lb. of roast beef slices. Tamp down so everything fits. Drizzle reserved beef broth/stock over meat.

secondlbbeef

Slather bread “cap” interior with the grainy mustard and place it on the sandwich.

mustardcap

Tightly wrap sandwich loaf with several pieces of cooking parchment. Secure tightly with twine, as shown below…

bookmakersabove

wrappedloafclose

After loaf is wrapped well, tightly wrap it in a layer of aluminum foil.

Press loaf down and place it in a book press (if you have one,) or under something heavy such as books, clean bricks or a large Dutch oven lid (which is what I use.)

Place weighted sandwich in refrigerator for 8 hours or overnight (up to 12 hours.)

Remove weights and unwrap when ready to eat.

Cut into large wedges and serve with your favorite accompaniments/ **condiments.

bookmakerclose

Enjoy!

~Melissa

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20 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness, Melissa, I don’t know how many “tabs” my internet provider allows “open” at one sitting, but I’m chasing your EVERY lead in hopes of achieving this sandwich! Just roasted a medium-rare roast beef yesterday… can’t imagine how sublime it’ll taste nestled between these layers of flavor happiness. Many, many thanks! (And LOL, my first impression was that it had to do with “books,” too — as in the “word” kind — but, whatever works!)

  2. I’m reading Nora Roberts Born trilogy and needed to know what a bookmakers sandwich is. This sounds delicious!

    1. Hi Janet 🙂 Although it’s a delicious sandwich… Are you as disappointed in why it’s called a “bookmaker’s” sandwich as I was? 🙂 *sigh LOL

  3. sounds delicious! I’ve made bookmaker’s sandwiches for year and years, and usually just throw whatever leftover meat I have in the fridge. roast chicken, pulled pork, thanksgiving turkey (with cranberry orange relish and swiss cheese? so good!)

    It really does make a difference to use good, crusty bread! Even then, sometimes I’ll get heavy handed with the liquid and it’ll be a knife and fork kind of meal instead. Still good. 🙂

    1. Isn’t that an awesome series? Sigh. Love Nora Roberts. Such beautiful books. Let’s pretend my fantasy definition of “bookmaker sandwich” is the real definition. LOL 😉 XO ~M

  4. Just finished the series, and all the way through it I was intreagued in finding out about the sandwich and chips!! I can’t wait to make this hearty sandwich.

    1. Ohmygosh! Wasn’t the series amazing? So well written. I felt like I was there 🙂 I am so happy you were inspired to read it, and to make my sammy. XOXO ~M

  5. was it the born in trilogy with the concannon sisters that you were reading? That’s why I’m googling what/how to make a bookmakers sandwich. after reading your recipe, you know what it reminds me of? A new orleans-style muffalata. You should try some of those if you never have before.

      1. I believe you were referring to The Irish Jewels Trilogy as you state that “main characters owned and operated a charming pub and “built” bookmaker’s sandwiches for his customers”.
        In the “Concannon Sisters’ Trilogy” the bookmaker’s sandwich makes an apearance too.
        I love your presentation of the sandwich. Thank you for sharing ❤️

  6. I laughed when I read this post. I did an Internet search on Bookmakers sandwich while reading that same Nora Roberts book and found this!
    I’m going to bookmark this so I can make the sandwich one day soon!
    Thanks!

    1. Hee hee 🙂 So happy you enjoyed this post. I was so disappointed when I figured out exactly why it’s called “Bookmaker’s” lol! XO ~M

  7. I am just reading the same books and wondered about that sandwich! I am on book 3 ( Born in shame) where Brianna asks for tjis sandwich after the birth of her daughter Kayla. And now I want one too!!!

    1. Such a good book series (and a goo sandwich too!) Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I hope you enjoy the recipe.