Eggplant Muffuletta Food

EGGPLANT MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine the red peppers, olives, giardiniera, 1/4 cup oil, parsley, vinegar, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover and process until blended; set aside. , In a large skillet, saute mushrooms and onion in butter and 1/4 cup oil. Remove and keep warm. , In a large resealable plastic bag, combine flour and remaining salt and pepper. Add eggplant, a few slices at a time, and shake to coat. In the same skillet, cook eggplant in remaining oil for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. , Split each loaf of focaccia in half. Spread reserved olive mixture over each focaccia bottom; top with eggplant, mushroom mixture, tomatoes and cheeses. , Place on a baking sheet. Broil 2-3 in. from the heat for 2-4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Replace focaccia tops. Cut each loaf into six wedges.

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the oil, the carrot, celery, cauliflower, oregano, thyme and 3 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are somewhat tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a small bowl and stir in the olives, pimento and salt. Set aside to cool.
• When the olive-vegetable salad has cooled, stir in the parsley.
• Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Using your hands, scoop out the inside of each bread half to make a shallow pocket. Brush the inside of the top half with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Fill the bottom bread half with the olive-vegetable salad and pack it down with your hands. Layer the provolone, mortadella and soppressata over the salad (without letting any hang over the sides).
• Cover with the top bread half and tightly wrap the sandwich with plastic wrap. Place the sandwich on a cutting board or baking sheet and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a cast-iron skillet, for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• Remove the plastic wrap and cut the sandwich into fourths or sixths. Serve.

GRILLED VEGETABLE MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-heat. Lightly brush the eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, portobello (read the description, maybe you have to slice it after it's grilled) and red onion with 1/4 cup of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and grill, turning once, until charred, about 6 minutes.
• Using a food processor, puree the spinach, pine nuts and parmigiano-reggiano; season with salt and pepper. With the machine one, drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil. Transfer the pesto to a bowl. Rinse the food processor.
• Using the food processor, pulse the giardiniera and olives into a coarse relish.
• Slice the top quarter off the bread and scoop out the insides. Spread half the pesto on the inside of the bread, layer with half of the grilled vegetables, then spoon the remaining pesto on top. Fill the bread with the remaining vegetables and top with the provolone. Spread the inside of the bread top with the vegetable relish and set into place. Press down firmly, then cut into wedges.

VEGETARIAN MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Cut bread in half and hollow out the bottom, leaving only the crust.
• In food processor, chop gardineira, mushrooms, artichoke hearts and olives along with marinating liquid from jars.
• Spread 1/3 of the veggie mixture on the bottom of the bread.
• Layer with provolone cheese.
• Layer of roasted peppers.
• Layer of watercress.
• Layer of veggie mixture.
• Layer of feta.
• Layer of tomatoes.
• Layer of veggie mixture.
• Top sandwich with other half of bread.
• Wrap sandwich toghtly in plastic and weight or press with a heavy pan or a pan with some cans in it.
• Chill overnight.
• Slice into wedges to serve.

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Combine the kalamata olives, green olives, basil, garlic and oil in a food processor or blender and process until coarsely chopped.
• Cut the top from the bread loaf and hollow out the center so that about 1/2 inch of crust remains. Spread olive mixture evenly over the inside of the loaf. Layer the salami, cheese, tomatoes and onion until the loaf is full.
• Replace top of bread, lightly press down and wrap tightly in plastic wrapping. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 1 day. Slice crosswise in about 1 1/2 inch pieces, and serve.