Instructions

1. Slice a small, crusty bread loaf or roll in half lengthwise through the center to create two halves. Italian loaf bread is traditional, but you can use any crusty bread, including French, sourdough, ciabatta or whole-wheat bread.

2. Cover both halves of your bread with a thin layer of a flavorful spread of your choice, such as butter, mayonnaise, mustard, creamy salad dressing and olive oil- based vinaigrette. Spread it all the way to the edge of the bread, creating a barrier between the bread and any wet ingredients.

3. Layer the bottom half of your bread loaf with a cheese of your choice, followed by any deli meat cold cuts you would like to use. Use enough slices of cheese to fully cover the bread. You can use American, Swiss, provolone or pepper jack cheeses. Top the cheese with any type of sliced ham, turkey, chicken, roast beef or salami, or a combination of them. Play with the amount of cheese and meat based on your preferences.

4. Add salad greens, tomatoes and additional toppings, if you'd like. You can add as iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce, baby spinach or arugula, along with thinly sliced tomatoes or a few sun-dried tomatoes. Other toppings to consider include sliced black or green olives, pickles, jalapeno or banana peppers, bell peppers and sliced onions.

5. Top all the ingredients with the top half of the bread loaf. Slice the sandwich in half to make it easier to eat. If you wish to save it for later, wrap it tightly in parchment paper, using tape to secure the ends.