Layered Picnic Loaves
Elevate your outdoor dining experience with these stunning Layered Picnic Loaves, the ultimate make-ahead sandwich bursting with flavor and visual appeal. This crusty boule is hollowed out and transformed into a handheld masterpiece, layered with vibrant pesto, briny olive tapenade, and a colorful medley of smoked ham, salami, roast turkey, provolone, and mozzarella. Roasted red bell peppers, fresh baby spinach, and crisp cucumber add a refreshing crunch, while a bit of seasoning ties everything together. Wrapped up tightly and chilled, this loaf becomes a compact, sliceable delight, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or lunch on the go. With its beautiful cross-section and harmonious medley of flavors, this recipe is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the taste buds!
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Ingredients
- 1 round crusty loaf of bread (boule)
- 0.25 cup pesto
- 0.25 cup olive tapenade
- 4 slices smoked ham
- 4 slices salami
- 4 slices roast turkey
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 red bell pepper, roasted and sliced
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- 0.5 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Slice the top off the loaf of bread (about 1-2 inches from the top) to create a lid. Hollow out the inside of the loaf, leaving about 1/2 inch of bread around the edges to create a sturdy shell. Reserve the top and discard the soft bread interior or save it for another use (like breadcrumbs).
Step 2
Spread the pesto on the inner bottom of the hollowed-out loaf and the olive tapenade evenly on the inner top (lid).
Step 3
Begin layering the ingredients inside the loaf: start with the smoked ham, followed by salami, then roast turkey. Add a layer of provolone cheese and a layer of mozzarella cheese.
Step 4
Next, layer the roasted red bell peppers, baby spinach leaves, and cucumber slices. Season the vegetable layers with salt and black pepper.
Step 5
Repeat with another round of meats and cheeses if there's still space in the loaf, and finish with a final layer of vegetables.
Step 6
Press the filled loaf firmly to compact the layers, then place the bread lid back on top.
Step 7
Wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the loaf to hold its shape.
Step 8
When ready to serve, carefully unwrap the loaf and use a sharp serrated knife to slice it into wedges or thick slices. Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (820.1g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1980.3 |
| Total Fat 139.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 52.9g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 5.4g | |
| Cholesterol 376.0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 6096.7mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 51.3g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 5.8g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 8.4g | |
| Protein 131.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 39.6IU | 0% |
| Calcium 1923.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 9.8mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1653.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories