Italiano Vero Recipe
sopressa, italian ham, mozzarella, giardiniera, special sauce, demi-baguette
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Ingredients
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Sandwich
Special Sauce (makes ~6 tbs, use 3 tbs)
Method
Special Sauce (make first)
- 1
Combine sauce ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar, the minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, a pinch of crushed red pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper until smooth and homogenous.
- 2
Taste and adjust: if sauce seems too thick, add a drop of water or extra vinegar to reach spreadable consistency. Set aside while assembling sandwich.
Assemble and finish sandwich
- 3
- 4
Dress bread
Spread about 1 tablespoon of the special sauce evenly on the bottom half of the baguette and 1 tablespoon on the top half. Drizzle 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil lightly over the bottom half and rub it across with a finger or brush.
- 5
Layer cheeses and meats
Place the sliced fresh mozzarella in an even layer over the bottom half. Season the mozzarella lightly with a small pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Layer the sopressa slices on top of the mozzarella, slightly overlapping. Add the Italian ham slices on top of the sopressa, arranging so the sandwich has even coverage and a balanced meat-to-cheese ratio.
- 6
Add giardiniera
Evenly distribute the drained giardiniera over the meat layer. If the giardiniera pieces are large, chop them roughly (1/4–1/2") so they spread more evenly and won’t slide out when eating. Press the filling gently to compact the sandwich slightly.
- 7
Optional toasting
If you prefer a warm sandwich and slightly melted mozzarella, close the sandwich and wrap it in aluminum foil. Place on a baking sheet and warm in the preheated oven for 6–8 minutes, then open the foil and bake an additional 2–3 minutes with the top exposed to lightly brown the bread. Alternatively, use a panini press for 3–5 minutes until cheese softens and bread is crisp.
- 8
Finish and serve
Remove from oven or press, unwrap, and slice the demi-baguette into 2 equal portions (or 4 small sandwiches). Serve immediately. Provide extra special sauce on the side if desired.