Antipasti Loaf

Antipasti (singular, antipasto) is a traditional Italian dish served as a first course or appetizer. Typical antipasto dishes include few delicious bites of cured meats, cheeses and marinated grilled vegetables.

I adore antipasto even as a simple meal all by itself. There is a sense of epicurean bliss when I top those intensively flavoured morsels onto a thick crusty Ciabatta slice then drizzle this mini open-faced sandwich with sweet extra virgin olive oil. Yummers!!! So here's a recipe that gives the best of both worlds, antipasti gently layered and tucked into a round loaf of rustic bread.

My idea of the best picnic sandwich because it's neatly packaged and can be enjoyed cold. Plus you'll win points when cutting through the loaf and unveiling the multi-coloured antipasti, it's a show stopper!

Did you know: Antipasto means "before the meal".

Ingredients

• 2 (250 ml) jars of assorted marinated grilled vegetables (roasted bell peppers, eggplant, zucchini, etc.)
  
• 1 loaf round sourdough bread, about 8 inches diameter
• Softened butter
• 4 thin slices each of assorted cold cuts such as black forest ham, salami, proscuitto, capicollo, beer sausage, etc.
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella, sliced
• 1 cup baby arugula
• Salt and pepper

Preparation

1. Remove marinated vegetables from the jars & drain.
2. Cut the top off the loaf and scoop out enough bread to leave a cavity with walls about 1 inch thick. Save the removed bread for another tasty dish (breadcrumbs, panzanella salad, etc.).
3. Spread the butter on the inside of the loaf and underside of the cap.
   
4. Layer the ingredients in the cavity until filled to the brim: Black Forest ham, Red Pepper, Prosciutto, Zucchini, Salami, Capicollo, Eggplant, Mozzarella slices (salt & pepper on cheese to taste), Arugula, Salami, and Beer Sausage, for example. Place the cap on the loaf. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Try this: Get fancy by replacing the cured meats with seafood like smoked salmon, seared tuna, sardines, anchovies, cream cheese, capers and marinated onions. Oh Mama Mia!!