Italian Toasty
Italian Toasty
Created for Molesini Wine Club
Paired with 2016 Franco Pacenti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG.
I developed three recipes to pair with wines in a shipment of the Molesini Wine Club, based in Cortona, Italy. Members are provided these recipes to prepare for the virtual wine tastings. Find the recipes for the other two appetizers here: Lamb/Lentil Soup and Italian Meatballs.
Mark my words, this easy appetizer will quickly become part of your standard party fare. Gooey, salty, and meaty, toasties are only as good as the ingredients you use, so splurge on quality meats and cheese. They are filling, pair well with this fabulous wine, and are also great served at lunch with a light soup or salad.
Italian Toasty
Serves 6 to 8
focaccia bread measuring approximately 5 x 9 inches (12 x 23 centimeters)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
8 ounces (225 grams) each provolone, Taleggio, and fontina, thinly sliced
4 ounces (113 grams) each prosciutto, capicola, hard salami, and spicy salami, thinly sliced
Directions
Up to one day in advance, divide the focaccia in half, then cut through the middle to form a top and bottom. Spread a tablespoon of mayonnaise on each bottom half, then layer cheese, then meat, then cheese, doubling up on the capicola and hard salami, ending with the remaining cheese. Place top on and press to flatten the sandwich.
Wrap each half in either heavy-duty tinfoil or two sheets of foil. Refrigerate until 40 minutes before serving.
Preheat oven to 375° F (190° C). Place sandwiches on middle rack and bake for 35 minutes. Remove from oven, unwrap, place on a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes before cutting into squares.
About Molesini Wine Club
This recipe was developed for Molesini Wine Club to be included in virtual tasting notes with a wine shipment. Molesini Wine Club, based out of Cortona, Tuscany, features Italian wines that are otherwise unavailable outside of Europe. Marco & Paolo Molesini work closely with over 1,000 producers from across the country to ensure they are procuring the top labels from small producers making the finest boutique wines. Explore with them as they lead you through Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, and many lesser-known wine regions of their country. Members can customize shipments, decide on a tier that fits their palate best, and enjoy exclusive access to the most stunning wines of Italy. As a member of the Molesini Wine Club means becoming part of the Molesini family and we invite you to join us for this experience. For more information, please visit the Molesini Wine Club website.
Sally Uhlmann’s passion for cooking led her to publish a memoir-style cookbook, “Just Cook with Sally.” She splits her time between the States and her farmhouse in Cortona, Italy, when she is not traveling the world. Sally cooks, develops recipes, and writes stories—mostly about the intersection of food, travel, and her life.
