Pressed Italian Picnic Sandwich Food

PRESSED ITALIAN PICNIC SANDWICHES

Steps:

• To roast the red peppers: Set your oven to the Broil setting. Slice the sides off the red peppers and place skin side up on a baking sheet (*I like to trim the ends so they lie as flat as possible, as they will brown better than pieces that are sloped). Place under the broiler until very well charred (blacon top, about 10 minutes (watch closely after 5 minutes. You'll want them to be mostly blackened on top.) Remove from the oven and immediately place the peppers in a plastic ziploc bag. Pop in the refrigerator for 30-40 minutes. Remove peppers from bag and peel off the blackened skin with a knife. Discard the skin and slice the peppers in to strips. Place in a bowl and drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside.
• To prepare the sandwiches: Cut your ciabatta in half and butter each piece (or you could brush with a bit of olive oil, if you prefer, but butter will help prevent moisture from getting into the bread. Place a generous layer of cold meats (4-5 over-lapping layers). Top with cooled roasted red pepper strips. Take your Bocconcini slices and place on a piece of paper towel. Top with another piece of paper towel and pat to dry a bit. Top the red peppers with a layer of the Bocconcini slices. Drizzle some balsamic vinegar over the Bocconcini slices and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with a generous layer of arugula. Top with top slice of ciabatta.
• Wrap each sandwich tightly with plastic wrap and place on a platter or baking sheet. When all the sandwiches are prepared, place the platter in the refrigerator. Place a heavy skillet on top of sandwiches to apply weight (if you don't have a heavy skillet, top with another baking sheet and place some large cans on top for the weight).
• Refrigerate at least 6 hours or ideally, overnight.
• When ready to serve, remove from plastic wrap. If desired, you can trim the sides and ends of the sandwiches to make neat sides and to enjoy the wonderful colours of these sandwiches.

PRESSED ITALIAN PICNIC SANDWICH WITH OLIVE RELISH

Steps:

• Stir together the celery, garlic, olives, parsley, olive oil and Italian seasoning in a medium bowl.
• Put the bottom half of the ciabatta on a work surface. Arrange half of the cheese on the bread, then top with the salami, turkey, ham and mortadella. Top the meat with the remaining cheese and the olive relish. Cover the sandwich with the top of the ciabatta.
• Wrap the sandwich tightly with plastic wrap and place it on a baking sheet. Place another baking sheet on top of the sandwich and weigh it down with a few large cans or a heavy skillet. Refrigerate the sandwich for at least 4 hours and up to 8.
• When ready to serve, unwrap the sandwich and cut into 6 to 8 pieces

PRESSED PICNIC SANDWICHES RECIPE

Steps:

• Use a round boule bread loaf, and a small serrated knife and cut the boulle around the side evenly.
• Rotate the loaf of bread, and cut the boule loaf in half removing the top from the bottom.
• Use your fingers and scoop out the bread from the top and bottom of the boule.
• Leave about a 1/2 inch rim around the top and bottom of the bread shells to allow the filling to be pressed flat inside the bread loaf and stay inside.
• In a small bowl, mix the olives (or olive tapenade), pepperoncinis, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, capers, and black pepper. Spread 1 cup of the olive mixture on the bread bottom.
• Next, layer all the sandwich ingredients: cheese, deli meats, spinach/lettuce spreads or toppings you like. Add the rest of the olive mixture if you have any left.
• Place the bread tops of the boulle loaf back on, and press gently down. Use plastic wrap to tightly wrap the sandwich. Wrap sandwich tightly a couple times, and cover completely.
• Place the sandwich between two baking sheets and weigh it down with some heavy objects like a large can, containers of juice, or a heavy skillet to press down the sandwich. The reason you want to do this is so it all holds together neatly in a "one hand" hold at the picnic!
• Keep in the refrigerator at least couple of hours, overnight is better as it has time to press and the flavors are better the next day.
• Use a serrated knife to cut the sandwich into 8 wedges.
• Serve with side salads like easy pasta salad, macaroni salad and cut watermelon.

PRESSED PICNIC SANDWICH

Steps:

• Ask an adult to slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthways and heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
• Put the ciabatta loaf halves, crust-side down, on a large baking tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Pop them in the oven for a few mins until just golden and lightly toasted.
• Put the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and mustard in a bowl, then whisk them together with a fork.
• Remove the toasted ciabatta halves from the tray and drizzle the bottom slice with about half of the dressing.
• Arrange the rest of the ingredients in layers. Start with a large handful of baby spinach, then a few artichoke hearts.
• Next add the slices of pepper, the prosciutto, basil, mozzarella and, finally, the red onion.
• Drizzle over the rest of the dressing and pop the other slice of ciabatta on top.
• Press down on the sandwich to squash all the layers together.
• Wrap the sandwich in baking parchment and tie it together with a couple of pieces of string.
• Place a heavy baking tray on top of your sandwich and top it with weights or loaf tins filled with baking beans. Pop it all in the fridge overnight or until you are ready to eat it. Cut and serve in slices for the perfect picnic snack.

PRESSED PICNIC SANDWICH

Steps:

• Heat grill to (or a grill pan over) high, or preheat broiler. Cook peppers (on a rimmed baking sheet, if using broiler), turning frequently so all sides cook evenly, until completely charred, 10 minutes. Remove from heat, transfer peppers to a bowl, and cover with plastic. Set aside until skins loosen and peppers are cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Using your hands, rub off charred skin, rinsing your hands frequently under cold running water. Pat peppers dry. Slice peppers in half, remove seeds and stems, and cut flesh into 1-inch-wide strips.
• In a medium bowl, combine Dijon and vinegar. Gradually whisk in oil, followed by water. Season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Slice bread horizontally and scoop out soft interior (reserve for another use). Spread olive paste on bottom crust, then add peppers. Crumble goat cheese on top of peppers. Arrange artichokes over goat cheese. Drizzle half the vinaigrette (about 1/4 cup) on top. Arrange prosciutto and salami over artichokes. Scatter herbs over meats. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette (1/4 cup) over inside of top crust, then place top crust on sandwich.
• Wrap sandwich tightly with plastic. Set a weight, such as a brick or large cast-iron skillet, on top at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, slice sandwich horizontally into 6 to 8 pieces.