Forget ordinary slices—prepare to experience your favorite sandwich in a whole new dimension!
Imagine a crusty, hollowed-out bread bowl overflowing with delectable fillings, creating an edible masterpiece you can sink your teeth into.
Ready to ditch the predictable and embark on this culinary adventure?
Ingredients You'll Need
First, you'll need a round or oval bread loaf—think sourdough or ciabatta; they hold up best! I consider it my canvas for sandwich artistry.
Next up, meats! Grab about 300g (10 oz) of your favorite cooked meats: ham, turkey. Use whatever you've got!
Don't forget antipasto! A cup of roughly chopped goodies like olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and feta would be delish! I just use whatever's left in the fridge—it's a scavenger hunt!
Cheese is essential! Four to six slices of your choice—Swiss, cheddar, or provolone—will do nicely. I'm a Swiss devotee myself; I can't get enough.
Baby spinach is next—three big handfuls or 75g, sounds about right! It adds freshness, and it means you can say you ate your greens, haha! You could even take a page from cheesy bacon bread boats and add some extra cheddar for a richer flavor.
Garlic butter? Yes, please! Mix 50g (3 tbsp) of melted salted butter with a minced garlic clove. It's like giving your bread a spa day.
Preparing the Bread Bowl
Let's get this bread ready for its starring role! First, I preheat my oven to 180C/350F, so it's nice and toasty for later. Now, I grab my bread loaf – round or oval, whatever floats your boat – and carefully cut the top off.
Next comes the fun part: I get to scoop out the inside! I leave about 1.5cm or 3/5" of bread around the sides and bottom. Don't toss that bread; we aren't wasteful, and you can use it for breadcrumbs or meatballs later. To add a bit of richness you can even mix in some cheddar cheese to the bread bowl.
Now, I line a baking tray with foil and put my bread bowl on it. I mix melted butter with a minced garlic clove—yum! With a brush, or a spoon, I generously dab this garlic butter inside the hollowed-out loaf. This gives the bread amazing flavor and stops it from getting soggy. We're all set for maximum sandwich deliciousness!
Assembly Instructions
With the bread bowl prepped and ready to go, I'm excited to share how I start layering it up. First, I evenly spread half of the spinach at the bottom. Then, I put the turkey, followed by antipasto things – olives, sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, the works. Next, I layer the remaining spinach and then the ham.
Finally, I top it off with cheese. I used Swiss, but hey, you do you!
- Spinach first
- Turkey and antipasto next
- More spinach, then ham–we're building flavor mountains, people!
- Cheese on top
Tuck any flappy bits of bread inside. Pop the lid back on. I then brush it with the garlic butter all over! It's like giving our bread bowl a tasty spa treatment. Wrap it tightly in foil, and we're ready to bake!
Tips for Success
Now, let's explore into making sure your bread bowl sandwich turns out amazing! I know you want this to be the star of the show, so I've got you covered.
First, don't skimp on the bread—seriously! A good artisan loaf, like sourdough, will hold everything together without getting soggy. Aim for a crusty exterior; it makes for easy eating. No one wants floppy bread!
Next, pack it tight. I mean really stuff it! Layer your ingredients carefully. If you are using something juicy, place it between cheeses, baby! This can prevent a soggy bottom. Think of it like building food a fort.
Furthermore, don't be afraid to weigh it down during baking, but only during baking! This flattens everything so it stays together when you slice it up. Enjoy!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Serving Size: 1
Ingredients:
1 round loaf bread
1 cup sandwich filling (e.g., deli meat, salad)
Optional: 1 sprig parsley
Instructions:
- Bake bread bowl according to preferred recipe.
- Unwrap baked bread bowl.
- Optional: Garnish with parsley.
- Slice off the top of the bread bowl.
- Hollow out the inside of the bread bowl, leaving about 1 inch of bread on the sides and bottom.
- Fill with desired sandwich filling.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):
Calories: 600
Protein: 30g
Fat: 25g
Carbohydrates: 70g