Nuways A/K/A Maid-Rites

Submitted by Claire de Luna

"If you're anywhere from the midwest, you will be familiar with these "loose meat" sandwiches. I spent years looking for a recipe that duplicates what I remember eating while growing up. After much experimenting, my sisters and I finally declare this recipe as IT. I hope you think so too! UPDATE: I spent an afternoon with my Mom at the original Nuway location down on East Douglas in Wichita, KS and was able to refine the recipe a bit more after talking to someone who had worked there for years. I've adjusted the recipe to reflect the information I was given, to be more precise. I found they cook the meat at a high heat in a cast iron cooker, then hold it at around 200 degrees to serve the lunch crowd. I was told there is no seasoning in the meat, but that all the flavor is what is on the bun. I made these again to test that theory, and realized the dill pickles are salty enough that you don't need any extra seasoning. I orginally had counted the "holding" time and realized this actually only takes minutes to cook. Sometimes the best things are ultimately simple! These are the Real Deal."

 

• Ready In: 20mins
• Ingredients: 6
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 1 lb 80% lean ground beef
• 1⁄2 large white onion (finely chopped)
• French's mustard
• dill pickle
• American cheese, slices

directions

1. Pour water into a cast iron pan.
2. Add l lb. ground beef and keep stirring until meat is broken into very small pieces.
3. Bring to a boil and cook until water is reduced by half. (What happens is the beef browns, breaks up into smaller and smaller pieces, and becomes tender, while the water reduces and packs in the flavor. The fat is left in the water, not on the beef, while the beef is juicy.).
4. Ready the buns with French’s mustard, and a large dill pickle slice, Dice an onion and pull out a slice of American cheese.
5. Dip a 1/2 cup strainer into the beef mixture, push the liquid through it with a spoon to the desired "juiciness". Fry separately in a cast iron skillet for a few minutes, until the beef is lightly browned. Salt the meat; add the diced onions and cheese. Put the buns together and cut in two pieces.
6. Cover the hot sandwich (with a deep lid or bowl, or wrap in waxed paper) for a couple of minutes to steam the bun and allow the cheese to melt.
7. Serve immediately with a cold root beer, and blast your way to the past!

Reviews

[Sidd9260]

Very good!! The meat was very flavorful. I didn't have any dry mustard, so I substitudes yellow mustard. I was a little hesistant, because I'm not a big mustard fan. It didn't have a strong mustard taste to it. I didn't use the french mustard on my bun, but again, that is because I'm not big into mustard, I used mayo instead. Other than those two sustitutions, I followed the recipe to the T. Thank you so much for sharing this great recipe!!!

 

[PugsAndKisses]

YUM!!! My DH and I love NuWays and so I couldn't wait to try this recipe! It was GREAT! After the first bite, DH said "This is a NuWay!" It really does taste EXACTLY like the NuWays! I followed the recipe exactly; the seasonings are the key. My DH added ketchup to his, which he always does at NuWay. This is a WINNER!!! Thanks for posting!!!!

 

[accutyper]

This sounds great! We live in Iowa and have maid-rites all of the time! The one ingredient we add to make it taste more like the Maid-Rites is chicken broth and then let it boil--this gives it great flavor!

 

[EdsGirlAngie]

Very authentic recipe! I remember Maid-Rites in Rockford, Illinois, and this recipe is for real! The steaming IS the important part, and the mustard is the definitive condiment!

 

[Pooh Bear]

My mother had come to visit me from New Hampshire earlier this year in Jan '03. I live in Kansas. I brought her to have her very first Nu-way. She loved them and said that their root beer is the very best she had EVER tasted. I sent her this recipe, she made it and said it tasted exactly like the ones she had in the resteraunt. My BF wants to make them soon as he loves them too. Was so glad to see this posting! Thanks!