Kicked Up New Orleans Muffuletta Recipes

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup of the oil, the carrot, celery, cauliflower, oregano, thyme and 3 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, until the vegetables are somewhat tender, about 6 minutes. Transfer the vegetable mixture to a small bowl and stir in the olives, pimento and salt. Set aside to cool.
• When the olive-vegetable salad has cooled, stir in the parsley.
• Slice the bread in half lengthwise. Using your hands, scoop out the inside of each bread half to make a shallow pocket. Brush the inside of the top half with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Fill the bottom bread half with the olive-vegetable salad and pack it down with your hands. Layer the provolone, mortadella and soppressata over the salad (without letting any hang over the sides).
• Cover with the top bread half and tightly wrap the sandwich with plastic wrap. Place the sandwich on a cutting board or baking sheet and weigh it down with a heavy object, such as a cast-iron skillet, for at least 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
• Remove the plastic wrap and cut the sandwich into fourths or sixths. Serve.

MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• Make the olive salad by combining all ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside to marinate.
• Assemble the muffuletta by slicing the loaf of bread horizontally into 2 large pieces, with the top piece 2/3 the size of the bottom piece. Hollow out the top piece by removing the soft bread inside, leaving 1/2 inch of bread near the crust. Spread half of the olive salad on the bottom piece. Begin layering the meats, starting with the soppressata and adding 1/4 of the provolone cheese between each layer of meat except for the last.
• Spread the remaining olive salad on the last layer of meat and top with the hollowed bread. Press down lightly and let sit at least 10 minutes. To serve, slice into 6 or 8 wedges. It will keep for several hours in the refrigerator wrapped in plastic.

NEW ORLEANS MUFFULETTA SANDWICH

Steps:

• OLIVE SALAD:.
• If using Italian bread use the one with the sesame seeds on top. If you use French bread it is a Liuzza's-style "Frenchuletta" make sure the bread is crisp crusted.
• Olive Salad:.
• Combine all ingredients and mix well.
• Place in tightly covered container in refrigerator and marinate for at least 12 hours before using.
• SANDWICH:.
• Split your loaf lenghtwise then spread with olive salad.
• Place meats and cheeses evenly on bottom half Close. Cut into quarters.
• NOTE: Feel free to play with the amounts. Each person as a different taste.

NEW ORLEANS-STYLE MUFFULETTA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Combine olives, giardiniera with liquid, and parsley.
• Hollow out both bread halves, leaving 1/2-inch-thick shells. Discard removed bread or reserve for another use. (See tip.)
• Spread bottom half of bread loaf with half the olive mixture; top with layers of salami, cheese and remaining olive mixture. Cover with top of bread, pressing top of bread into filling to secure. Wrap tightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until chilled.

CENTRAL GROCERY'S MUFFULETTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine celery, giardiniera, parsley, olives, olive oil, black pepper, and garlic. Set aside.
• Remove a 1" layer of soft center of bread from both halves to make room for the filling. On bottom half of bread, spread half of the olive mixture; top with the ham, cheese, salami, and remaining olive mixture. Replace top half of bread; press halves together.
• Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
• Cut into 8 wedges and serve.