Third Coast Cuisine

One of the iconic foods of New Orleans is a sandwich with Italian origins.  The Muffelata is a meal in and of itself.  They also can be made a day ahead so that all you've got to do is sit back with a Pete's Wicked and watch Drew Brees light up the sky.  If you don't want to make your own olive salad then you can always buy a jar.  Be sure to use premium cheese and meats from the deli.  This is the Super Bowl, save that pre-packaged crap for your Groundhog Day party.

Muffelata
1 loaf Italian round bread (8 – 9 inches)
1/4 pound sliced Genoa salami
1/4 pound sliced smoked ham
1/4 pound sliced sopressata ham
1/4 pound sliced provolone cheese
Olive dressing (recipe follows)
Halve the bread across its equator and hollow out a small cavity in the middle of each half.  Brush each cavity with Extra Virgin olive oil.  Fill the bottom cavity with half the Olive dressing then layer each cold cut, cheese, and top with remaining olive salad.

OLIVE SALAD
1 cup chopped pimento stuffed green olives
1 cup chopped black olive
1/2 cup Extra Virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced oregano
1 clove garlic, minced
Juice of half a lemon
3 shakes of Worcestershire sauce
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

Until next time, laissez les bons temps rouler.