Grilled Italian Picnic Sandwich Recipe

If you love your deli meats and focaccia, you need to make this grilled Italian picnic sandwich for your next outing. The textures at play are a bonus.

📝 Ingredients

• ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 loaf focaccia bread (about 12x8 inches)
• ½ cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• ½ teaspoon red chile flakes
• ¼ cup raw shelled pistachios
• 2 cups baby arugula leaves
• 6 ounces mortadella, thinly-sliced
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Heat the olive oil and garlic cloves in a small skillet over medium heat.
2. 2Once the cloves start to bubble, remove the pan from heat and transfer the oil and cloves to a heat-proof dish.
3. 3Cut the focaccia loaf into four even pieces.
4. 4Split all the bread horizontally, creating top and bottom pieces.
5. 5Take each slice of focaccia and brush both sides with garlic oil.
6. 6Place the bottom slices crust side-up and spread 2 tablespoons of ricotta on each.
7. 7Sprinkle the red chile flakes and pistachios over the ricotta.
8. 8Layer on the arugula leaves.
9. 9Add a few slices of mortadella.
10. 10Top the four pieces with 2 mozzarella slices each.
11. 11Brush the cut side of the remaining top slices of the focaccia with garlic oil again, and place on top of the sandwich, cut-side facing out.
12. 12Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
13. 13Place the sandwiches on the skillet, fresh mozzarella side down. Cook for about 5 minutes.
14. 14Flip the sandwiches. As the other side grills, brush on a little more of the garlic oil over the top. Cook for another 5 minutes.
15. 15Continue to grill on both sides, flipping occasionally and pressing gently on the sandwiches, until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown.
16. 16Serve the sandwiches immediately, or wrap in parchment paper or foil to transport.