Muffaleta with Olive Dressing
Isaiah 17:6 "... A few stray olives are left on the trees when the harvest is ended..."
Deut: 24:20 "When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow."
A bit messy to eat, but oh so good!
One loaf Italian bread, sliced into two horizontally
1/2 pound each: sliced baked ham and provolone cheese
1/4 pound hard salami
Tomato slices, sweet onion rings
Leaf lettuce (optional but good)
Dressing
(You may wind up with some left over. Go to taste on this. If you don't like black olives, use green olives.)
1/2 cup finely chopped black olives
2/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons minced red onion
1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pepper to taste
Whisk together dressing ingredients. (Can be made a day ahead). Set aside.
Hollow out bottom loaf, leaving ½ thick sides. Hollow out top loaf, but leave sides a bit thicker.
Spread dressing on inside of top and bottom loaves. Set top aside.
Start layering meats, cheese, vegetables and lettuce, brushing each layer with dressing, until you run out of filling. Press each layer down as you go. Press top onto sandwich and wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours. Cut into big wedges to serve. Serves 4-6.
Rita's Bible Foods segment airs on the Son Rise Morning Show every Thursday morning at 7:22 am (rebroadcast Friday at 6:02 am). Tune in to hear her discuss the history behind each recipe and the scripture verses that inspired it. And of course, for cooking tips!
Rita Nader Heikenfeld writes a weekly cooking column for the Community Press, appears weekly on Sacred Heart Radio, and is the author of several cookbooks. An adjunct profesor at the University of Cincinnati, she is Macy's Regional Culinary Professional (CCP) and is a Certified Modern Herbalist.
Rita lives "in the sticks" outside Batavia, Ohio with her family, where they heat with wood, raise chickens for eggs, and grow their own produce and herbs.
