Italian Veggie Delight Sandwich

Ingredients

• 4 slices of crusty Italian bread 4 slices of crusty Italian bread
• 1 large tomato, sliced 1 large tomato, sliced
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup (150g) mixed olives, pitted and halved 1 cup (150g) mixed olives, pitted and halved
• 8 ounces (225g) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced 8 ounces (225g) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves Fresh basil leaves
• Fresh oregano leaves Fresh oregano leaves
• Olive oil, for drizzling Olive oil, for drizzling
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 420 kcal / 1760 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 6g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat a grill pan or sandwich press.
2. 2.
   Slice the Italian bread into thick slices.
3. 3.
   Layer the tomato slices, cucumber slices, olives, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, and oregano leaves on two slices of bread.
4. 4.
   Drizzle olive oil over the filling and season with salt and pepper.
5. 5.
   Top with the remaining bread slices.
6. 6.
   Place the sandwiches on the preheated grill pan or sandwich press and cook until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted, about 3-4 minutes per side.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and let the sandwiches cool slightly before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomato — Choose ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best flavor.
• Cucumber — Slice the cucumber thinly for a refreshing crunch.
• Mozzarella cheese — Opt for fresh mozzarella cheese for its creamy texture.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a drizzle of balsamic glaze or pesto sauce.
• Experiment with different types of bread, such as ciabatta or focaccia, to vary the texture and taste.
• If you prefer a warm sandwich, you can heat it in a panini press or grill it in a pan with a little butter.

Serving advice

Serve the Mediterranean Garden Sandwich as a light lunch or dinner option. Cut it into halves or quarters for easy handling and pair it with a side salad or a bowl of soup for a complete meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the plate with a sprig of fresh basil or oregano. Serve the sandwich on a wooden cutting board or a rustic platter to add a touch of Italian charm.