Antipasto Bread Recipes

BAKED ANTIPASTO CHEESE BREAD

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut the block of cheese in half lengthwise and position end to end, so that the cheese forms a long rectangle. Center the cheese rectangle on the top of the bread so there is a small border of bread around it. Using the point of a chef's knife and a back and forth sawing motion, cut into the crust following an outline 1/2 inch larger than the cheese on all sides; be careful not to cut all the way through to the bottom of the bread. Remove the cut crust and some of the loaf's interior, leaving the bottom crust and the bread on the sides intact (set aside the extra bread for breadcrumbs or another use). The cheese should fit in the cavity with about a 1/2-inch space around it and it should be about flush with the top of the bread. If not, cut and trim the cheese so it fits.
• Line the bread bowl with the prosciutto so that the meat completely covers the bottom and sides (this will stop the melted cheese from leaking as it bakes). Drape the cured meats along the sides of the cutout so that they hang over the edges of the loaf.
• Sprinkle half of the giardiniera and olives over the prosciutto. Top with the cheese blocks. Sprinkle the remaining giardiniera and olives over the top and sides of the cheese. Brush any exposed bread with oil. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet, cover with foil and bake until the cheese is completely melted and beginning to drip down the sides, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Let sit covered for 10 minutes before cutting into thick slices.

VEGETABLE ANTIPASTO STUFFED BREAD

Steps:

• Cut the top off a loaf of crusty bread. Hollow out the inside of the bread.
• Mix chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chopped olives and store bought or homemade pesto sauce. Spread the mixture evenly across the bottom of the hollowed out bread. Layer the cheese into the loaf. Layer the roasted red peppers on top of the cheese. Coarsely chop the drained artichoke hearts and add them in a layer over the red peppers. Sprinkle in the chopped hot pickled vegetables and drizzle some extra-virgin olive oil on top. Replace the top, cut the stuffed loaf into pieces and serve.

ANTIPASTO BREAD

Steps:

• Core and seed peppers and cut lengthwise into 1/4" strips.
• Heat oil in large skillet, add peppers, and saute over medium heat til just tender.
• Drain on papertowels.
• Line baking sheets with foil.
• On lightly floured surface, roll out one loaf bread dough into a 14" x 8" rectangle.
• (Dough shrinks, so let it relax and re-roll til it stays in shape.).
• Brush dough with beaten egg.
• Using half of the cheese and half of the salami, layer on cheese first, then salami, leaving a slight edge of dough all the way around.
• Sprinkle with half of the black olives.
• Place half of the peppers down along long edge, not all over.
• Sprinkle whole top lightly with oregano.
• Stretch long edge over the peppers, and continue rolling securely, jellyroll-style.
• Pinch/seal edge and ends.
• Place bread diagonally on baking sheet.
• Repeat all with second loaf.
• Cover loaves loosely with a lightly damp cloth towel and let rise in warm place for 30-45 minutes.
• Heat oven to 350.
• Brush loaves with egg.
• Make 6-7 slashes on top of each loaf.
• Sprinkle with poppy seeds.
• Bake 25-30 minutes.
• Serve warm or cold.

ANTIPASTO BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a 9 x 13 ungreased baking pan, unroll one package of crescent rolls, sealing perforations and press dough to edges of pan.
• Top the crescent roll dough with the ham, swiss, salami, provolone and the pepperoni.
• Slice the roasted peppers into strips, and lay them on top of the pepperoni layer.
• Beat 2 eggs with the Parmesan cheese, and pour over the roasted peppers.
• Top with the second package of crescent rolls, again sealing the perforations as best as you can and pressing dough to the edges of the pan.
• Beat the last egg and spread on top of the dough.
• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove foil and bake until golden brown, 10-15 minutes more.
• Let sit at least 10 minutes before cutting into 2 inch squares.
• Serve warm.