Description

This festive Christmas Leftovers Bread Bowl Sandwich, inspired by the classic Muffuletta, transforms your holiday meat and antipasto into a delicious, handheld meal. Featuring a crusty bread loaf filled with layers of ham, turkey, assorted antipasto, cheese, and fresh baby spinach, all enhanced with garlic butter, this sandwich is perfect for using up leftovers in a tasty and satisfying way.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Bowl

1 round or oval bread loaf

Meats and Cheese

300 g / 10 oz ham, turkey and other cooked meat slices
4 – 6 slices cheese of choice (Swiss cheese recommended)

Antipasto Mix

1 cup roughly chopped antipasto (olives, sun dried tomatoes, chargrilled peppers, artichokes, feta cheese, etc.)

Greens

3 big handfuls baby spinach (~75g / 2.5oz)

Garlic Butter

50 g / 3 tbsp salted butter, melted
1 garlic clove, minced

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Instructions

Prepare the Bread Bowl: Slice the top off the bread loaf and hollow out the inside to create a bowl large enough to hold all the sandwich fillings, leaving a sturdy crust shell for support.
Make the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the melted salted butter with minced garlic and mix well to infuse the flavors.
Apply Garlic Butter: Brush the inside of the hollowed bread with the garlic butter to add taste and moisture, ensuring every corner is coated for maximum flavor.
Layer the Meats: Begin by placing slices of ham, turkey, and other cooked meats evenly inside the bread bowl, distributing them to ensure each bite contains a variety.
Add the Antipasto Mix: Sprinkle the roughly chopped antipasto ingredients evenly over the meat layer to bring tangy and savory notes that complement the sandwich.
Place the Cheese: Lay the Swiss or chosen cheese slices over the antipasto for a creamy and melty texture when warmed or simply enjoyed as is.
Add Baby Spinach: Top the cheese with fresh baby spinach, adding a light, green freshness and a slight crunch to the sandwich.
Finish and Serve: Replace the bread top or serve open-faced as desired. Optionally, you can wrap the bread sandwich to let the flavors meld before slicing and serving.

Notes

You can substitute the meats with any cooked leftover proteins such as roast beef, chicken, or salami.
The antipasto mix is flexible; use your favorite marinated vegetables and cheeses for variety.
This sandwich is best enjoyed the same day but can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
For a warm version, you can bake the filled bread bowl at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese and warm the sandwich through.