Muffaletta Sandwich
Ingredients:
1 large round loaf of Italian bread or muffaletta bread
1/2 cup olive salad (recipe below)
4 ounces Genoa salami, thinly sliced
4 ounces ham, thinly sliced
4 ounces provolone cheese, thinly sliced
4 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
4 ounces mortadella, thinly sliced
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, thinly sliced
1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup green olives, sliced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Make the Olive Salad:
In a small bowl, mix together the black olives, green olives, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, red wine vinegar, olive oil, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Let the olive salad marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Prepare the Bread:
Slice the loaf of Italian bread horizontally.
Assemble the Sandwich:
Spread the olive salad evenly over the bottom half of the bread.
Layer the Genoa salami, ham, provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, and mortadella over the olive salad.
Place the top half of the bread over the layered meats and cheese.
Press down gently to compact the sandwich.
Wrap and Chill:
Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve:
When ready to serve, unwrap the sandwich and cut it into wedges.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes:
Use thick, dense bread to absorb the tapenade juices.
Provolone is traditional, but Swiss or smoked mozzarella can be used as substitutes.
Muffaletta leftovers last 3-4 days in the fridge but are not recommended for freezing.