Chipotle Grilled Steak Sandwich

This is the Food Network's Ultimate Recipe Showdown winner, and is now on the menu at T.G.I. Friday's. This sandwich is fantastic! This is the ORIGINAL RECIPE, so what you order at the restaurant is actually their adaptation of the original chefs sandwich. The tender steak with the yummy plantains makes this sandwich addictive. Both versions are FANTASTICO!

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2  large green plantains, about 10 inches long and 2-3 inches wide
• 1  tablespoon  vegetable oil
•  salt
•  fresh ground black pepper

• Cajun Spice

• 1  cup  breadcrumbs
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup paprika
• 1  teaspoon dried oregano
• 1  teaspoon dried thyme
• 1  tablespoon garlic powder
• 1  tablespoon onion powder

• Cajun Steak

• 24  ounces  skirt steaks
• 6  ounces salted butter, melted
• 1  cup  cajun spices

• Chipotle Mayonnaise

• 1  cup mayonnaise
• 1  teaspoon  chipotle chili sauce

• Crispy Fried Onions

• 1⁄2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1  pinch cayenne pepper
• 1  large Spanish onion
• 2  cups  shredded  Mexican blend cheese

Directions

1. Peel plantains, and cut in half widthwise, then cut in half lengthwise.
2. In a large pot or deep-fryer, preheat vegetable oil to 325°F.
3. Add the plaintains to the oil, and fry for 5 minutes.
4. Remove them and place on a flat surface.
5. Increase heat to 375°F.
6. With a metal flat spatula, press down onto the plantains until they are flat, less than 1/4 of an inch.
7. Using a knife to help scrape the plantain off the spatula, deep-fry the plantains again for 3 minutes.
8. Pull them out and season with salt and pepper.
9. Combine the breadcrumbs, cayenne pepper, black pepper, salt, paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder to create Cajun spice.
10. Dip each piece of steak into 4 ounces melted butter and then into the Cajun spice, covering both sides of the steak.
11. Spread the remaining melted butter onto a flat top or metal skillet, place the steak on top and cook on both sides until medium or preferred degree of doneness.
12. After the steak is done, slice it thinly against the grain.
13. Combine the mayonnaise and chipotle sauce to make the Chipotle Mayonnaise.
14. Onions: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
15. Slice the onion very thinly.
16. Place in the flour mixture. Squeeze the slices of onion as you are mixing them with the flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour.
17. Drop a little bit of onions into 375 F oil at a time to prevent sticking together. Cook for 1 minute and 30 seconds or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
18. Build a sandwich by layering 1 fried plantain, 1 tbsp chipotle mayonnaise (spread coast to coast on bottom plantain), sliced steak, and 1/3 cup of shredded cheese. Place under the broiler for 1 or 2 minutes or use the microwave to melt the cheese. Then continue layering 1/2 cup of fried onion, 1 more tbsp chipotle mayonnaise, spread coast to coast on top plantain.
19. Cut sandwich in half before serving.