Making a Hot Sub Sandwich

1. Prepare all the ingredients for the sandwich, including slicing cheese, gathering cold cuts or other meat or seafood fillings, washing and slicing vegetables and readying any condiments you plan to use. Slice the French bread loaf lengthwise using a bread knife and open the loaf outward, leaving a "hinge" between the front and back of the loaf.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. If you are using cold cuts, shredded meat or a prepared salad such as tuna salad, add it now to the bottom half of the sandwich. Arrange the sliced or shredded cheese on top of the meat. Place the entire loaf on the prepared baking sheet and heat it for 5 minutes or until the bread is lightly toasted, and the cheese begins to bubble. Remove the baking sheet from the oven using an oven mitt.

3. Add the prepared vegetables to the sandwich and use a knife to spread any condiments on the upper piece of bread before closing the sandwich. Use the bread knife to slice the French loaf into several pieces for serving.

Making a Cold Sub Sandwich

1. Gather or prepare the meat, seafood or salad that will form the centerpiece of the sandwich. Wash and cut all the vegetables and other toppings for the sandwich and set them aside. Using the bread knife, cut the French bread lengthwise, leaving a hinge on the back so that the two pieces are not completely separated.

2. Place the meat, seafood or salad on the bottom piece of the French bread. If using cheese, add it now on top of the meat, seafood or salad. Add the prepared vegetables on top, pressing them down gently with your clean hands as you go.

3. Add any spreadable condiments to the top piece of bread, spreading them across the entire sandwich with a knife. For liquid condiments such as vinegar and oil, gently shake these over the meat, cheese and vegetable side instead. Fold the top piece of bread down over the bottom and gently press the sandwich together. Slice with a bread knife and serve.