ITALIAN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

Ingredients

  • 8 slices (1/2-inch thick)artisan-style French or Italian bread
  • Softened butter
  • 8 teaspoons
  • black olive spread or tapenade of kalamata olives
  • 1-1/2 cup
  • provolone cheese, grated
  • 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 1 cup
  • roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
  • 1/4 cup
  • pepperoncini, drained and minced
  • 16 slices Italian salami or ham, thinly sliced

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat large heavy skillet on medium-high heat (about 5 to 7 minutes). Reduce heat to medium.
2. In bowl, mix provolone and mozzarella cheeses until well blended. In a separate bowl, mix roasted red peppers and pepperoncini until well blended.
3. Take 4 slices of bread. Spread butter on one side. Place on cutting board, butter side down. Spread 1/4 cup of cheese mixture on top of each slice. Place 2 slices of salami or ham on top of cheese. Top salami with one-fourth of the pepper mixture. Top pepper mixture with 2 more slices of salami or ham.
4. Spread 2 teaspoons of olive spread on each remaining slice of bread. Place on top of sandwiches, olive spread-side down. Spread top of bread with softened butter.
5. Place sandwiches in preheated skillet. Press down lightly. Cook until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Flip sandwiches and press down lightly again. Cook for additional 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Transfer sandwiches from skillet to plate. Serve immediately. Makes 4 sandwiches.