Lunch in a Loaf
Transform your midday meal into a show-stopping masterpiece with "Lunch in a Loaf," a flavorful and portable feast perfect for picnics, parties, or casual family gatherings. This recipe combines a hollowed-out sourdough bread loaf with layers of savory deli meats like ham and turkey, creamy provolone and cheddar cheeses, and fresh vegetables such as baby spinach, juicy tomatoes, and crisp red onion. A tangy dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and herbs ties everything together, while a Dijon-mayo spread ensures every bite is packed with flavor. Once assembled, the loaf is wrapped and chilled, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve it in slices for an effortless, crowd-pleasing dish that's as stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for make-ahead lunches, entertaining, or a gourmet twist on your favorite sandwich!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 piece round sourdough bread loaf
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 150 grams sliced ham
- 150 grams sliced turkey
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 cup sliced tomatoes
- 0.5 cup sliced red onion
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Using a serrated knife, slice the top off the sourdough bread loaf and hollow out the inside to create a bowl, leaving about a 1-inch wall around the edges. Reserve the bread scraps for another use.
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until fully combined. Spread the mixture evenly on the inside walls of the bread bowl and on the underside of the bread top.
Layer the fillings: Start with a layer of sliced ham, followed by turkey, provolone cheese, and cheddar cheese.
Top the cheeses with the baby spinach, then add the sliced tomatoes and red onion.
In another small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle this dressing evenly over the vegetables inside the bread bowl.
Repeat the layering process—ham, turkey, cheeses, spinach, tomatoes, onion—until the loaf is filled to the top or your ingredients run out.
Place the bread lid back on top and press down gently to compact the layers. Wrap the entire loaf tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil if desired.
Refrigerate the wrapped loaf for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the bread to soak up the dressing.
When ready to serve, unwrap the loaf and slice into wedges using a sharp serrated knife. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2984 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 152.9 g | 196% | |
| Saturated Fat | 48.6 g | 243% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 374 mg | 125% | |
| Sodium | 8829 mg | 384% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 251.4 g | 91% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.6 g | 56% | |
| Total Sugars | 20.6 g | ||
| Protein | 137.2 g | 274% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 1406 mg | 108% | |
| Iron | 14.0 mg | 78% | |
| Potassium | 2004 mg | 43% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
