Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

Cookinero 6 November 2022

Vegetable sandwiches with spicy basil and young Italian Mozzarella cheese on white bread, hot and juicy, are a great option for a quick and quite satisfying snack from the available products.

How to cook Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

Step 1

Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

Turn on the oven and heat it to 3.2-3.5 (180-190 ºС). Line a large aluminum baking sheet (21 x 32 cm, 5 cm high or any other similar or slightly larger area) with non-stick baking paper. Cut off the burnt bottom from the bread (otherwise, the finished sandwiches may not have a very pleasant bitter taste), then cut it into slices (about 0.8-1.0 cm thick or to taste). If you are using ready-made cuts, it is also advisable to cut off the fried crusts. Then arrange the slices of bread on a baking sheet (you can close to each other).

Step 2

Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

Wash the package with mozzarella (if sealed), as well as tomatoes and basil (tomatoes and package with mozzarella - preferably with soap to prevent microbes from entering the finished dish) and dry on a paper towel. Remove the stalks and tough inner fibers (if any) from the tomatoes and cut across into slices about 0.8 cm thick. If you use cherry tomatoes, then cut them in half lengthwise (tender remnants of the stalks do not need to be removed). Densely (how much will go in) spread the tomatoes on the slices of bread prepared earlier (cherry - cut down). A medium-sized piece of bread takes about 1.5-2 cups of a regular tomato or 4-5 cherry halves, depending on the size.

Step 3

Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

Put the baking sheet in the oven and bake the sandwich blanks on the number 3.2-3.5 (180-190 ºС) until the tomatoes are almost ready - their surface, especially for cherry tomatoes, should become soft and wrinkle slightly when pressed (this may take about 6- 10 minutes depending on the variety and size of the tomatoes).

Step 4

Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

At this time, tear off the leaves from the basil stalks, and open the package of mozzarella and drain the brine from it. Cut the mozzarella itself into circles about 0.5-0.6 cm thick.

Step 5

Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

After the time specified in paragraph 3, remove the baking sheet from the oven, place basil leaves on top of the vegetables, cover them with mozzarella and return the baking sheet to the oven again for just a minute (you need the mozzarella pieces to become warm to the touch, their edges are barely melted, but at the same time, the serum from them should stand out only slightly).

Step 6

Hot sandwiches "Italian style"

Remove the finished sandwiches from the oven, transfer to a serving plate with a spatula and serve still warm, if desired, drizzling with a little extra virgin olive oil or decorating with homemade pesto sauce on top. Enjoy your meal!

Hot sandwiches "Italian style" - FAQ About Ingredients, Baking Time and Storage

Absolutely! While the recipe suggests using regular bread, you can experiment with ciabatta, baguette slices, or even gluten-free bread for a different taste and texture.
You can use provolone, fontina, or even shredded mozzarella cheese. Keep in mind that the taste and melting properties will vary slightly.
It's best to assemble and bake these sandwiches just before serving for the best flavor and texture. If you need to prep ahead, you can slice the bread and tomatoes, but wait to assemble until you're ready to bake.
This recipe is already vegetarian! Enjoy it as is. You can add other toppings you might enjoy, like some artichoke hearts, peppers, or a sprinkle of parmesan to give it more flavors.
Freezing is not recommended as the tomatoes and mozzarella's texture might change significantly upon thawing. The bread can also become soggy. Best to enjoy them fresh!
Consider adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze after baking for a touch of sweetness. You could also add a sprinkle of garlic powder or Italian seasoning to the tomatoes before baking.
While fresh basil provides the best flavor, you can use dried basil in a pinch. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried basil for every tablespoon of fresh basil. Add it to the tomatoes before baking.
This recipe is easily scalable. Simply adjust the number of bread slices, tomatoes, and mozzarella based on the number of servings you need. Keep the ratio of ingredients roughly the same for the best results.
To make this low carb, use low carb bread, or alternatively use portobello mushrooms cut into thick slices in place of the bread.

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