"Just a sandwich"

Today I had a craving for a good old homemade sandwich! Of course I wasn't thinking of bologna and "American Cheese"! I was thinking something more substantial, something that would make me say a swear word or two (out loud)!

I knew I was going to have to make the bread from scratch...duh! I just whipped up some sourdough starter, flour, water and salt and let it sit out for a few hours. I then incorporated some garlic/herb infused olive oil, transferred the dough to a glass meatloaf dish and let rise another few hours. Before tossing it in a 450 degree oven I liberally coated the top with the remaining garlic/herb oil, cracked some black pepper and course sea salt on the top. I think it cooked for about 20 minutes. I was planning on using half the loaf for my sandwich.

Now, on to the filling! I had envisioned the real word equivalent to the Dagwood sandwich so I needed to really dig deep for this one.
I had some fresh THINLY shaved pit smoked ham from Steve's Meat Market. This stuff was so thin it only had ONE side! We always have plenty of produce and condiments, so this should be a snap!
I fire roasted a red pepper and placed it in a plastic bag to steam the skin off. I then sauteed some onions, mushrooms, and garlic.
What is a sandwich without great condiments? I made an olive oil, rosemary, garlic, basil, and black pepper mayo, I also planned on using plenty of dijon mustard. I would prefer arugula for my greens, but all we had was baby spinach so that would have to suffice. Of course you HAVE to have some greatcheese in order to make a great sandwich! I am lactose intolerant, but I'll suffer for my craft! I still had some FRESH raw mozzarella cheese in the fridge, and if I toast this bad-boy while it's open faced and that cheese gets all melted and toasty.... oh yea!

So, when all was said and done, the bread was VERY aromatic, crusty, and delicious! Steve's shaved ham is like nothing you have ever tasted... trust me on this! Better yet, go buy some! It melts in your mouth! The herbaceous herbed mayo, and the dijon added the zesty "glue" needed for a sandwich of this magnitude. Fire roasted red peppers, with toasted fresh mozzarella, played off the olive oil to really give it that Mediterranean feel!

I really did eat until I had to lay down, but not before uttering a few swear words and proclaiming out loud how awesome this sandwich was!

Remember, life is too short to eat bad food!