Pressed picnic sandwich

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims only

A great recipe for kids to assemble – fully load a ciabatta loaf with favourites like prosciutto, artichokes, peppers, spinach and mozzarella

Prep:25 mins
Cook:3 mins

Serves 8
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 242
fat 12g
saturates 4g
carbs 23g
sugars 2g
fibre 3g
protein 11g
salt 1.9g

Ingredients

long ciabatta loaf, sliced in half lengthways
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 big handfuls of baby spinach
8 marinated artichoke hearts from a jar, quartered
250g roasted red peppers from a jar
8 slices prosciutto
big handful of basil
125g ball mozzarella, cut into slices
½ red onion, very finely sliced

Tip

Equipment you will need
Chopping board, knife, 2 baking trays, oven gloves, small bowl, fork, spoon, baking parchment, ball of string, weights or loaf tins filled with baking beans.Adapting flavours
If your kids aren’t keen on some of the flavours, simply swap them for fillings they do like. Try, for example, ham, cheddar & tomato or tuna, watercress & cucumber.Before you start
Wash your hands, tie back long hair, if necessary, and put on an apron.

Method

Ask an adult to slice the ciabatta loaf in half lengthways and heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6.
Put the ciabatta loaf halves, crust-side down, on a large baking tray and drizzle with a little olive oil. Pop them in the oven for a few mins until just golden and lightly toasted.
Put the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and mustard in a bowl, then whisk them together with a fork.
Remove the toasted ciabatta halves from the tray and drizzle the bottom slice with about half of the dressing.
Arrange the rest of the ingredients in layers. Start with a large handful of baby spinach, then a few artichoke hearts.
Next add the slices of pepper, the prosciutto, basil, mozzarella and, finally, the red onion.
Drizzle over the rest of the dressing and pop the other slice of ciabatta on top.
Press down on the sandwich to squash all the layers together.
Wrap the sandwich in baking parchment and tie it together with a couple of pieces of string.
Place a heavy baking tray on top of your sandwich and top it with weights or loaf tins filled with baking beans. Pop it all in the fridge overnight or until you are ready to eat it. Cut and serve in slices for the perfect picnic snack.