Recipe

Picture yourself standing in front of a bustling bodega in Harlem, NYC, watching the cashier chop and mix ground beef, onions, and peppers on a griddle until they meld with oozing melted cheese—that’s the soul of a Chopped Cheese. Now, with your Geedel Vegetable Chopper, you can recreate this authentic, bold street food flavor in your own kitchen using higher-quality ingredients! 

Ingredients

For the Meat Seasoning:

- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 fat-to-lean ratio works best)

- 1 white onion

- 1 green bell pepper

- 2 garlic cloves

- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

- 1 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1 teaspoon onion powder

- Salt and black pepper to taste

Other Ingredients:

- 4 hero rolls or baguette slices

- 8 slices American cheese or cheddar cheese

- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise

- Lettuce leaves

- Tomato slices (optional

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the ‘Flavor Foundation’ – Chop the Veggies

Chop the white onion and green bell pepper into large chunks. peel the garlic cloves. Attach the cross-shaped chopping blade to your Geedel Manual Food Chopper. Add all the veggie chunks to the chopper, secure the lid tightly, and crank the handle continuously until everything is chopped into uniform, rice-sized pieces. This consistent fine dice is key—it ensures the veggies soften evenly, release their natural sweetness, and blend perfectly with the ground beef. Set aside.

Step 2: Chop’and Meld on the Griddle

Heat a small amount of oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula. cook until it’s about 70% done (mostly browned). Pour the chopped veggie mixture from Step 1 into the skillet and mix with the beef. Now, channel your inner NYC bodega cashier: use the side of your spatula to repeatedly chop and stir the mixture in the pan. This chopping process fully integrates the meat and veggies, creating that signature coarse texture. Add the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and a generous sprinkle of black pepper. Keep stirring and chopping until the beef is fully cooked, the veggies are tender, and the flavors are rich and well-combined. Spread the meat mixture evenly across the skillet.

Step 3: Make Creamy Cheese Sauce (Optional Upgrade)

Empty and lightly wipe the chopper container, then attach the mixing paddle. Add the cheese slices and 2 tablespoons of milk or water. Secure the lid and crank the handle continuously—you’ll end up with an ultra-creamy, spreadable cheese sauce! Drizzle this evenly over the meat mixture in the skillet. (Traditional method: Place cheese slices directly on top of the meat.) Cover the skillet, turn off the heat or reduce to low, and let sit for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.

Step 4: Assemble the Legendary Sandwich

Slice the hero rolls in half (don’t cut all the way through). Spread mayonnaise on the inside of each roll. Layer lettuce leaves and tomato slices (if using) on the bottom half of the bread. Use a spatula to scoop a large portion of the meat-cheese mixture from the skillet as a single, intact patty—this is the soul of the sandwich! Transfer it directly onto the bread. Gently press the top half of the roll down. Enjoy this iconic NYC street food calorie bomb!

Summary

The magic of a Chopped Cheese lies in its hearty, well-blended texture—and the Geedel Food Chopper is your secret weapon. It not only efficiently preps evenly flavored veggie bits but also whips up the upgraded creamy cheese sauce in seconds. With this manual chopper, no professional knife skills are needed—you can perfectly replicate the essence of NYC bodega street food at home and indulge in a top-tier food feast!