Italian Toasties Recipes

ITALIAN TOASTIES

Steps:

• Split the loaf through the middle, leaving it attached at one side, and open it up like a book. Scrape away some of the soft bread inside (use to make breadcrumbs), then drizzle generously with olive oil. Spread the tomato paste over both sides, then start layering up your fillings on top. Start with the provolone and ham, then add any of your favourite pizza toppings, if you like, finishing with the mozzarella. Scatter with oregano, season with salt and pepper, then carefully close the sandwich and squash it down with your hands to flatten. Wrap tightly in foil. Can be made up to a day ahead and chilled.
• To serve, heat oven to 180C/160C fan/ gas 4. Place the foil-wrapped sandwich onto the oven shelf and bake for 30 mins from room temperature or 35 mins from the fridge. Lift onto a board, unwrap, then slice into roughly 6 sandwiches. Serve with bowls of crisps, gherkins and pickled onions and let everyone help themselves.

ITALIAN SUB STOUP AND GARLIC TOAST FLOATERS

Steps:

• Place a soup pot or deep sided skillet on the stove top and preheat to medium high heat. Add olive oil, 2 turns of the pan and the sausage. Brown and crumble the sausage, drain off excess fat if necessary then add the ham and pepperoni. Cook meats together 2 minutes then add peppers and onions and cook 2 or 3 minutes more. Add diced tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and bring stoup to a boil. Stir in pasta and cook for 8 minutes. Make croutons while pasta cooks.
• In a large skillet heat about 1/4 cup of olive oil, 4 turns of the pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add bread to garlic oil, toss and toast the cubes 5 or 6 minutes. Season the toasty cubes with red pepper flakes, oregano and lots of grated cheese.
• Stir arugula into soup just before you serve it up. Ladle up the stoup and float several toasty garlic bread cubes in each bowl.

ITALIAN FRUIT TOAST

Steps:

• Brush the ciabatta slices on both sides with olive oil, then sprinkle both sides evenly with 1/4 cup of the sugar, gently rubbing it in.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Place the sugared bread in the skillet and cook until golden brown and caramelized on both sides, 2 minutes per side. Remove to a wire rack to cool briefly.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta, vanilla and the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar with a rubber spatula. Divide the mixture among the toasts and spread evenly. Top with berries, drizzle with honey and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

ITALIAN GARLIC TOAST

Steps:

• Split bread lengthwise; place, cut side up, on a large baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine butter, cheese, garlic and oregano; brush onto cut surfaces of bread. Sprinkle with paprika., Broil 4 in. from the heat for 2-3 minutes or until lightly toasted. Serve warm.

ITALIAN "STUFFED" TOAST (TOAST FARCITO)

Steps:

• Heat a panino press according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Place 1 slice prosciutto and 1 slice fontina cheese onto a slice of bread; repeat with remaining prosciutto, fontina cheese, and slice of bread. Add 1/2 of the giardiniera on top of each cheese layer and top sandwiches with remaining bread slices, creating 2 sandwiches.
• Cook each panino in the press until the cheese has melted and the bread has toasted, about 3 minutes. Serve with hot pickled peppers on the side.

ITALIAN TOAST

Steps:

• Sauce: Beat eggs. Mix well with pizza sauce, milk and water and season with 3/4 tsp iodized fine salt (or 3/4 tbsp iodized rock salt). Set aside.
• Combine salami, bell pepper and cheese to make filling. Divide filling into 5. Top 5 slices of bread with salami, bell pepper and cheese. Cover each piece with another slice of bread. Dip in sauce. Drain excess sauce.
• Grill in pan with butter, flip when brown on one side to brown the other side.

ITALIAN TURKEY TOASTIES

Steps:

• Heat grill to high. Lay the prosciutto out on a large baking sheet and sit a turkey steak on top, crossways. Spread the turkey with the pepperonata, then top with 2 slices of mozzarella, a few basil leaves and some seasoning. Fold the ends of the prosciutto around the cheese to enclose. Grill for 10 mins until golden and cooked through. Leave to rest for 2 mins.
• Cut the ciabatta into 4 or the rolls in half, then toast under the grill. Top with salad leaves, then sit the turkey on top and serve.