Last Updated July 6th, 2018 at 03:42 pm by Lisa
Yummy Picnic Basket Pressed Sandwiches are both neat to eat, and easy to make! Made in minutes, can be made ahead, and store well overnight in the fridge.
Pop into a picnic basket or cooler, and head off to the beach, a concert, or a picnic in the park. These sandwiches will have people talking..talking about how good they taste!
Keep the pressed sandwich refrigerated and tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. Cut into wedges and enjoy.
How to Make Pressed Sandwiches:
The secret to this sandwich is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and to press or weight it down between 2 cookie sheets. Use cans or jars in the fridge to “press” the sandwich flatter. It will cut very easily when cold, and looks so pretty!
- 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar red is fine too
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives finely chopped (or use olive tapenade)
- 1/4 cup capers drained and finely chopped
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini's finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 Italian Round Boulle Bread Loaf
- 6-8 slices Colby cheese or cheese you like
- 10-12 slices Italian dry salami
- 8 slices turkey or chicken deli meat
- 2 cups fresh organic baby spinach
- Optional sandwich filling ideas: ham pepperoni, roasted red peppers, different cheeses, artichoke spread, and chopped olives-any kind.
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In a small bowl, mix the olives (or olive tapenade), pepperoncinis, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, capers, and black pepper.
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Slice the round boule loaf in half, cutting off the top from the bottom. Scoop out the bread from the top and bottom, leave about a 1/2 inch shell to allow the filling to be pressed flat in the bread loaf.
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Spread 1 cup of the olive mixture on the bread bottom.
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Next, layer all the sandwich ingredients: cheese, deli meats, spinach, spreads or toppings you like. Add the rest of the olive mixture if you have any left.
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Place the top on the sandwich, wrap tightly in a couple long pieces of plastic wrap. Place the sandwich in between 2 cookie sheets weighted down with cans or jars to press down the sandwich.
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Keep in the refrigerator at least 2 hours or overnight.
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Cut into 8 wedges and serve with side salads and watermelon.
Picnic Tip:
Use small paper takeout boxes ordered inexpensively online for salads, fruit, and sides.
Pass out boxes at your picnic to eat right from the boxes, or pass containers and serve onto plates.
My husband Anthony had two of these little boxes for his lunch today, this is his very favorite Macaroni Salad -Dot’s Original Family Recipe, of course, because it is his Mom’s family recipe!
Glad these are not real ants marching at our picnic today!
Get your cooler or basket packed and go have a picnic..go on.. get going!
Happy Picnicking!
All the Best,
Lisa
XO
I could eat this all day! These remind me of a combination of the hoagies I had growing up in Philly and muffalettas from “Nawlins.” I made this to take to a friend’s and we drank wine and ate these up — FANTASTIC! I love how everything tastes after marinating together overnight. Definitely a keeper!
I am so happy to have found this post! I will be planning a picnic and trust me, I will be using your tips here. Everything looks so good and the presentation is excellent. Thank you!
Oh that is great Valerie! Picnics are always tough to pack things that stay together. We have served this so many places, and you can put whatever deli meat, cheese, or spreads you like!
This recipe looks amazing!! I love sandwiches with red wine vinegar. I can’t wait to try.
These are my go-to summertime favorite sandwich…. I just made 2 of them this morning for a little pool party cause it’s going to be in the low 100’s today…hot!
Really easy fast sandwich that you can make the night before, and take to a picnic, lake, beach etc. It is always a hit with my friends and kids love it too!
Wow the sandwich really looks neat. It’s as if no crumbs would fall off. LOL
Great point! I wrap them tightly in saran wrap, and you can put anything in them you like! You don’t have to use any ingredient that isn’t your fave. I slice right through the wrapped sandwich with a small serated knife, it cuts super clean! Enjoy…
I prefer to eat freshly made sandwiches. But since this could be made a night ahead, Meaning it could be stored longer. Do I make sense? LOL.
I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ll have to try it sometime!
It definitely looks like the perfect picnic sandwich. Kind of reminds me of a Sandwich Alton Brown made only maybe a little more complex. I will have to try this out.
Oh do! I love Alton Brown-boy did I learn a lot from his show! You can make this sandwich with any spread, deli meats, vegetables, or cheeses you like. I have made it countless times, we always love it!
That looks like an adorable picnic. We love having picnics with our kids at parks.
Aww thank you Kayla, I went all out on that vintage picnic basket…couldn’t resist it when I saw it! We love picnics too…
How cute! I have always wanted to have an actual picnic in the park like this one but never have. I’ll definitely have to try this out. Thanks for sharing!
Right? These are so super fun and easy. The best part is you can make them the day before your party or picnic! They can be made with whatever ingredients or spreads you like. I have used all kinds of dips as my spread and layered cheeses and meats that went together, with some lettuce, it all works so well, just wrap, press, and slice!
Looks like such a yummy lunch idea. Perfect for my upcoming family picnic!
We are huge fans of this sandwich, I have served it many times to large groups, it makes it so easy!
I am in love! I have been planning a picnic party with my girls and this def makes it easier for me!
Well we are too! As a matter of fact, I really have these in the fridge right now! Made them twice in the last few weeks, and gave one big sandwich to my friends son, who is a football player and just loves this sandwich. You can put anything in there you like, works sooo well for beach, picnics, pool parties etc! Have fun and let us know what you put in your sandwich!
What a cool post! These sandwiches looks so tasty, I’d love to try them. Thanks for sharing! 🙂