Football Watching Make-ahead Big Sandwich

This hearty sandwich is a great make-ahead meal. Weather it's for the big game or just a family lunch it is sure to deliver the goods. The flavours develop as it sits in the fridge. I made this for my family when we were on holiday at Disney World. I used large kaiser buns for individual sandwiches. They were great to have as we explored the many disney theme parks. This sandwich travels very well.

Start by slicing a large round loaf in half horizontally. I have used a loaf that I baked using my

 basic pizza dough recipe. Use any round loaf that you wish. Sourdough, pumpernickel, multigrain, they all work.

Remove most of the centre of the bread leaving about a half inch shell. Reserve the bread that you  have removed for another purpose such as bread crumbs. Do this to the top and bottom of the loaf. 

On the bottom spread the mustard and mayonnaise all over the surface of the loaf. Sprinkle a chopped green onion over the mustard/mayo mixture.

On the top half, spread the Italian dressing over the surface of the loaf.

Back to the bottom. Start to layer the deli meat. In this case I have started with thinly sliced salami.

Then I have added turkey and honey ham. Use what ever you like.

You can even make this vegetarian by using grilled or roasted veggies. Anything goes.

Then add a layer of cheese. In this case I have used Havarti. My kids like the mild creamy flavour.

Then add a layer of tomatoes. This is a gorgeous yellow variety from my garden. Very tasty.

Next is a layer of crisp lettuce. Use any variety that is sturdy and crispy like iceberg, romaine or leaf lettuce.

Put the top on and place the entire loaf into a large resealable plastic bag

Remove as much air as possible

Put a dinner plate on top of the loaf

Then put some kind of heavy object on top of the plate. In this case, I have used a full orange juice container. Put everything into the fridge. Let the sandwich sit for a couple of hours or up to overnight. Weighing the sandwich down like this, helps to develop the flavours. It does not get soggy because you have removed most of the bread from the inside of the loaf leaving just the crust.

Slice it into wedges for serving. Make several to feed a crowd. Finally the cook can sit and watch the game too.

The layers become compacted. It is very tasty and easy to eat.

Watch son#3 and I make this awesome sandwich on You Tube

Football Watching Make-ahead Big Sandwich

2 tablespoon mayonnaise
2 teaspoon mustard
1green onion, sliced
2 tablespoons oil and vinegar salad dressing like Italian
4 slices deli ham
4 slices deli salami
4 slices deli turkey
4 slices havarti cheese (may use swiss or cheddar)
2 tomatoes, sliced
4 large leaves of iceberg or romaine lettuce
1 large round loaf of bread

Instructions

1. Slice loaf of bread in half horizontally.
2. Remove the inside of the bread to one half inch of the crust. Do this on the top and bottom.
3. On the bottom half spread the mustard and the mayonnaise on the the surface.
4. Sprinkle with green onion
5. Place slices of deli meat in layers onto the bottom half of bread
6. Put a layer of cheese on top of meat
7. Then add a layer of tomato 
8. Then a layer of lettuce
9. Spread the Italian dressing on he top half of the bread.
10. Put top half of bread onto the bottom. 
11. Place loaf in a large resealable plastic bag. Remove all of the air from the bag and seal.
12. Put loaf into refrigerator. Place a plate on top of loaf. Put a heavy object like a milk jug on top of the plate. The idea is to compress the loaf. 
13. Let the loaf sit in the fridge with the weight onto for a few hours. You can leave the loaf like this for overnight or even two days. The flavour will get better as it sits.
14. Remove loaf from plastic bag and slice into wedges to serve.