Is it the bun, the beef, or the processed cheese that makes a Philly cheesesteak America’s most famous hero sandwich? Some say all three are equally important. Suffice it to say that from my research, there will never be agreement on this issue. We can all agree, though, that this whole-grain, low-fat sandwich is a different kind of hero.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　Nonfat cooking spray

　　1 large Vidalia onion, sliced thin

　　1 large green bell pepper, seeded and sliced thin

　　Salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　4 sprouted-grain hamburger buns, such as Ezekiel 4:9, or 4 whole-wheat buns

　　3/4 cup low-fat, low-sodium beef broth

　　3/4 cup low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth

　　8 ounces sliced lean roast beef (from the deli counter)

　　6 slices 2% reduced-fat-milk cheese, such as Borden 2% Milk Reduced-Fat Sharp Singles

　　6 tablespoons reduced-sugar ketchup, such as Heinz

　　

Step 1

Heat a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, spray it well with cooking spray and add the onion and pepper. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened, about 12 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat a grill pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, split the buns in half and place them on the pan, cut side down. Allow the buns to char a little, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the buns from the grill pan and set them aside.

　　

Step 3

Combine the beef broth, chicken broth, and sliced roast beef in a medium sauté pan, using a fork to separate the roast beef slices. Heat the beef gently over medium heat until the broth is hot but not boiling. Drain the beef, reserving the broth.

　　

Step 4

Divide the beef among the bottom halves of the toasted buns. Top each sandwich with 1 1/2 slices of the cheese. Top the cheese with the hot onion-pepper mixture, and then the ketchup. Close the sandwiches with the bun tops, and serve them with the warm broth for dipping.

　　

nutrition information

Step 5

Fat: 50g (before), 7.6g (after)

　　

Step 6

Calories: 902 (before), 344 (after)

　　

Step 7

Protein: 27g

　　

Step 8

Carbohydrates: 44g

　　

Step 9

Cholesterol: 40mg

　　

Step 10

Fiber: 7g

　　

Step 11

Sodium: 1,487mg

　　Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.