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Make-Ahead Italian Pressed Sandwich

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Tablespoon Kitchens
Updated May 2, 2017
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The secret to sealing in all the robust flavors of this picnic-perfect sandwich — Italian meats, roasted red bell peppers, fresh mozzarella, basil, spinach — is to wrap it up and weigh it down with something heavy. Bricks, Dutch ovens and cast-iron skillets are all fair game.

Make-Ahead Italian Pressed Sandwich

  • Prep Time 15 min
  • Total 2 hr 15 min
  • Servings 6
  • Ingredients 11
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Ingredients

  • 1 loaf (14 oz) ciabatta bread, cut in half horizontally
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 slices deli ham (about 6 oz)
  • 8 slices mortadella (about 8 oz)
  • 8 slices soppressata dry salami (about 2 oz)
  • 4 slices provolone cheese (about 3 oz)
  • 1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers (from 12-oz jar), drained
  • 6 large leaves fresh basil
  • 6 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
  • 1/2 cup baby spinach
  • 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Place bread halves on work surface, cut sides up. Tear bread from top half, leaving about a 1/2-inch shell. Brush cut side of top half with olive oil.
  • Step 
    2
    Layer ham, mortadella, soppressata and provolone on bottom half of ciabatta. Top with a layer of roasted peppers, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella and spinach. Drizzle vinegar over spinach; replace top half of ciabatta.
  • Step 
    3
    Wrap entire loaf with plastic food wrap, slightly pressing. Place in refrigerator; weigh it down with 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 12 hours.
  • Step 
    4
    When ready to serve, unwrap. Cut crosswise into 6 slices.

Nutrition

490 Calories
28g Total Fat
26g Protein
34g Total Carbohydrate
3g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving
Calories
490
Calories from Fat
250
Total Fat
28g
43%
Saturated Fat
12g
58%
Trans Fat
1/2g
Cholesterol
75mg
26%
Sodium
1500mg
63%
Potassium
310mg
9%
Total Carbohydrate
34g
11%
Dietary Fiber
2g
8%
Sugars
3g
Protein
26g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
15%
15%
Vitamin C
0%
0%
Calcium
35%
35%
Iron
15%
15%
Exchanges:
2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1 Lean Meat; 2 High-Fat Meat; 1 1/2 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
2
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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