Cuisine: Sandwich

Muffuletta Sandwich

moof-fuh-LEHT-tuh or moo-foo-LE-ta
There is this place called Roma’s Market in Pasadena, California owned by Rosario Mazzeo. He is famous for The Sandwich. This wonderful sandwich is wrapped in pink butcher paper, and is simple:
crusty bread made by a Sicilian baker, a drizzle of good olive oil, a couple of slices each of capicola, mortadella, salami and provolone. It’s very plain, but utter perfection in its simplicity. We often pick them up for lunch.
The other day my husband bought a jar of Muffuletta Italian Mix. We came home and I suddenly had an epiphany - why not convert The Sandwich to a Muffuletta!? I have included a recipe from scratch, though you could go to your local Italian deli/market and buy a similar sandwich...
Napoleon House is where my aunt Marjorie and Uncle Bob, who was a political science professor at Tulane, took me for my first Muffuletta. The Napoleon House muffuletta is considered by many to be the "other" definitive version, different from most others in that it's heated. I personally prefer my muffulettas cold, but that said, they do an excellent sandwich here. Don't forget to order their signature drink, the Pimm's Cup, while you're waiting for your muff to arrive.
The Story...
Muffuletta sandwiches can be found all over New Orleans. It is a Sicilian sandwich that consists of a round loaf of bread (about 10 inches across) filled with Italian salami, olive salad, cheese, Italian ham, and freshly minced garlic. The key ingredient is the olive salad. A true Muffuletta Sandwich must always be served at room temperature, never toasted; it is considered blasphemy to heat the sandwich.
The Italian Market, the Central Grocery on Decatur Street, claims to have invented this sandwich in 1906. Italian immigrant, Signor Lupo Salvatore, owner of the Central Grocery, started making the sandwiches for the men who worked the nearby wharves and produce stalls of the French Market. Most of the farmers who sold their produce there were Sicilian. Every day they used to come to my father's grocery for lunch. They would order some salami, some ham, a piece of cheese, a little olive salad, and either long braided Italian bread or round muffuletta bread. In typical Sicilian fashion, they ate everything separately. The farmers used to sit on crates or barrels and try to eat while precariously balancing their small trays covered with food on their knees. My father suggested that it would be easier for the farmers if he cut the bread and put everything on it like a sandwich; even if it was not typical Sicilian fashion.

By Leslie Blythe

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Hot Dogs in Puff Pastry

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Caviar Croque-Monsieur

Guest Blog
Here is a recipe from my friend Jessica:
This is the most indulgent thing we’ve ever made. Picture it, New Year’s Eve 2018: here we are, me and my husband, totally without invitations. So as we’ve done before, we decided to go it alone at home. So why not splurge on something decadent and expensive? If it’s just for two, right? Well, this is one for the ages. Spend a little money, open some champagne, and enjoy the fanciest grilled cheese sandwich you’ll ever have!

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Falafel is a deep-fried ball, or a flat or doughnut-shaped patty, made from ground chickpeas, fava beans, or both. It's usually served in a pita, or wrapped in a flatbread. It can also be served over a bed of salad or pickled vegetables and drizzled with hot sauce or a tahini sauce.

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By Leslie Blythe

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Last Friday night a friend of ours took us to see Elton John's final tour called 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road'. I was transported to my bedroom in 1974, lying on green shag carpeting listening to his albums - over and over and over again. At 71 years old he still has it. It was absolutely fantastic - as in Captain... 
Anyway, it got me thinking about recipes he likes. Each year, the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party, which is the hottest ticket in Hollywood, is catered by Chef Wayne Elias and his partner Chris Diamond, owners of Crumble Catering/Rockwell Table & Stage. Most of the menu is updated every year to keep it fresh and exciting. However, the one item they keep on the menu every year (because it's Elton's favorite) is a Grilled Raisin Bread Cheese Sandwich with Gorgonzola, Mascarpone and Asian Pears. So I, of course, made it. It's delicious. 

By Leslie Blythe

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By Leslie Blythe

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By Leslie Blythe

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By Leslie Blythe