Description
Packed with Italian-inspired layers, this irresistible Italian Grinder Sandwich delivers bold flavors between crusty bread. Meaty, zesty ingredients combine in a handheld masterpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Protein:
- 1 loaf crusty Italian bread
- 4 ounces (113 grams) thinly sliced salami
- 4 ounces (113 grams) capicola
Cheese and Vegetables:
- 4 ounces (113 grams) provolone cheese
- 1 cup fresh spinach or arugula
- 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Carefully split the Italian bread horizontally, creating a spacious canvas for layering robust ingredients.
- Arrange alternating slices of salami and capicola across the bottom bread surface, ensuring even coverage.
- Generously distribute provolone cheese slices over the cured meats, allowing slight overlap for maximum flavor distribution.
- Delicately scatter fresh spinach or peppery arugula leaves atop the cheese, creating a vibrant green foundation.
- Strategically place juicy tomato slices across the greens, providing moisture and bright color contrast.
- Whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar together, creating a tangy emulsified dressing.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette evenly over the layered ingredients, ensuring balanced flavor penetration.
- Gently position the top bread half, pressing slightly to compress the sandwich components.
- Optional: Warm the assembled sandwich in a preheated 350°F oven for 4-5 minutes until edges turn golden and cheese begins to melt.
- Slice diagonally into substantial portions, revealing the colorful and appetizing interior layers.
- Serve immediately while ingredients remain fresh and warm.
Notes
- Bread Selection Matters: Choose a fresh, crusty Italian bread with a sturdy texture to support the hearty fillings without getting soggy.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Warm the sandwich briefly in the oven to create a perfectly melted provolone that enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap deli meats with grilled portobello mushrooms or roasted eggplant for a plant-based alternative that maintains the sandwich’s robust character.
- Vinaigrette Flavor Boost: Experiment with herb-infused olive oil or add minced garlic to the balsamic dressing for an extra layer of Mediterranean complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1500 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg