Italian Subs Recipe

Sub rolls: Soft and sturdy rolls that hold all the ingredients together

Provolone cheese: A mild, creamy cheese that pairs well with the meats

Salami: Adds a spicy, savory flavor to the sandwich

Ham: Provides a mild, slightly sweet taste

Lettuce: Adds a fresh, crunchy texture

Tomato: Juicy and slightly acidic, balancing the richness of the meats and cheese

Red onion: Adds a sharp, tangy flavor

Pepperoncini: Brings a tangy, mildly spicy kick

Olive oil: Used to drizzle over the veggies for added richness

Red wine vinegar: Adds a tangy, acidic note to the dressing

Oregano: A dried herb that adds an earthy, aromatic flavor

Salt: Enhances the overall flavors

Ground black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth

When preparing the sub rolls, consider toasting them lightly in the oven for a few minutes before assembling the sandwich. This adds a delightful crunch and helps to prevent the bread from becoming soggy when you add the olive oil and red wine vinegar. Additionally, when slicing the red onion, soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow out their sharpness, making them more palatable in the Italian subs.

• sub rolls - Substitute with whole wheat rolls: Whole wheat rolls provide more fiber and nutrients while maintaining a similar texture and flavor.

• provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella has a mild flavor and melts well, making it a good alternative to provolone.

• salami - Substitute with turkey pepperoni: Turkey pepperoni is a leaner option with less fat and calories but still offers a similar spicy flavor.

• ham - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is a leaner meat with lower fat content, making it a healthier option.

• shredded lettuce - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach adds a nutritional boost with more vitamins and minerals while providing a similar texture.

• sliced tomato - Substitute with roasted red peppers: Roasted red peppers add a sweet and smoky flavor, offering a different but complementary taste.

• sliced red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, making them a good alternative to red onions.

• sliced pepperoncini - Substitute with banana peppers: Banana peppers have a similar tangy and mildly spicy flavor, making them a suitable replacement.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar texture and flavor profile but with a higher smoke point and additional health benefits.

• red wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and tanginess, making it a good alternative for red wine vinegar.

• dried oregano - Substitute with dried basil: Dried basil offers a different but complementary herbaceous flavor, suitable for Italian dishes.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt provides a similar salty flavor but with additional trace minerals.

• ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different but still pungent flavor, making it a good alternative for black pepper.

• To keep your Italian subs fresh, wrap each sandwich tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This helps maintain the bread's texture and prevents the vegetables from wilting.
• Store the wrapped subs in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag to further protect them from air and moisture.
• Place the container or bag in the refrigerator. Your Italian subs will stay fresh for up to 2 days.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the subs. Wrap each sandwich in a layer of plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. This double wrapping helps prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped subs in a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When ready to eat, thaw the subs in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, use the microwave's defrost setting, but be cautious to avoid overheating.
• To revive the crispness of the bread, consider toasting the subs in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
• If you prefer a cold sub, simply unwrap and enjoy straight from the fridge once thawed.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the Italian subs in aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent the bread from becoming too crispy. Place the wrapped subs on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the meats are warmed through.

• If you prefer a quicker method, use a microwave. Wrap the subs in a damp paper towel to keep the bread from drying out. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. Be cautious, as the lettuce and tomato might become slightly wilted.

• For a crispy exterior, use a toaster oven. Set the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the subs directly on the rack or a baking tray. Heat for 10-12 minutes, keeping an eye on the bread to prevent it from burning. This method will give you a nice, toasty finish.

• If you have a panini press, this can be an excellent option. Preheat the press and place the Italian subs inside, pressing down gently. Heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the meats are warmed through. This will also give you those delightful grill marks.

• For a stovetop method, use a skillet or griddle. Heat the skillet over medium heat and place the subs in the pan. Cover with a lid to help melt the cheese and heat the meats. Cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side, pressing down gently with a spatula to ensure even heating.

• Knife: To slice the sub rolls, tomatoes, red onions, and pepperoncini.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely slice the ingredients.

• Measuring cups: To measure the shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, red onions, and pepperoncini.

• Measuring spoons: To measure the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

• Small bowl: To mix the olive oil and red wine vinegar if desired.

• Spoon: To drizzle the olive oil and red wine vinegar over the veggies.

• Tongs: To layer the provolone cheese, salami, and ham on the sub rolls.

• Foil: To wrap the sandwiches tightly if serving later.

• Plate: To serve the sandwiches immediately.

Pre-slice ingredients: Pre-slice lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, and pepperoncini in advance to save time during assembly.

Use deli-sliced meats: Purchase pre-sliced salami and ham from the deli to avoid the hassle of slicing them yourself.

Mix dressing ahead: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper in a jar and shake well. This way, you can quickly drizzle it over the veggies.

Assemble in batches: Lay out all sub rolls and assemble multiple sandwiches at once to streamline the process.