Don’t look now but summer is more than halfway over. Soon those bike paths you’ve been using to save gas will be covered with snow and ice. Now is the time to make the most of summer’s warm days, not only to play outside but also to dine al fresco.
A picnic in the park can be a great way to cap off a lazy summer day, but instead of packing the same ol’ bologna sandwiches considering kicking up your outdoor meal with the following recipes.
The first is a traditional muffaletta sandwich. The hearty sandwich originated in 1906 at the Central Grocery in New Orleans, Louisiana. I had my first taste of the monster sandwich during a trip there nearly ten years ago and fell in love at first bite. The sandwich consists of a round loaf of crusty bread filled with layers of sliced cheese, salami, ham and an incredible olive salad, which sets it apart from any other sandwich you’ve ever tasted.
I like to pair the mighty sandwich with homemade pita chips and a refreshing mango salsa. Both make wonderful additions to a meal shared with family and friends in the great outdoors.
CLASSIC MUFFALETTA
Ingredients:
Round Italian Bread
Sliced ham
Sliced salami
Parmesan cheese slices
Provolone cheese slices
Swiss cheese slices
Ingredients for Olive Salad:
Minced Garlic
Pimento-stuffed green olives-chopped
Pitted Kalamata olives-chopped
Celery-chopped
Roasted red pepper–chopped
Fresh oregano-chopped
Fresh parsley-chopped
Pepper to taste
Directions:
Prepare olive salad by combining all salad ingredients–refrigerate overnight.
Assemble sandwich by layering the meat and cheeses on bottom half of bread and then top with 1/2 cup of the Olive Salad, top with other half of bread.
Note: If you are taking the muffaletta on a picnic place the meat and cheese on the bread and wrap in plastic. Top with prepared olive salad once you get to your picnic destination.
MANGO AND MELON SALSA
Ingredients:
1 mango finely diced
1/2 cup finely diced cantaloupe
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon light olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions:
Toss together and chill for at least an hour.
HOMEMADE PITA CHIPS
Ingredients:
1 package of pita bread
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Drizzle olive oil on pita bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper then grill until crisp.
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