Italian Subs Recipe

Baguette: A long, thin loaf of French bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Hummus: A creamy spread made from blended chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic.

Roasted red peppers: Sweet red bell peppers that have been roasted to enhance their flavor and soften their texture.

Artichoke hearts: The tender, edible part of the artichoke, often found canned or jarred.

Cucumber: A crisp, refreshing vegetable that adds a nice crunch to the sandwich.

Red onion: A type of onion with a mild, sweet flavor and a vibrant purple color.

Mixed greens: A blend of various leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach, and arugula, providing a fresh and nutritious base.

Balsamic vinegar: A dark, concentrated vinegar with a rich, slightly sweet flavor, often used in dressings and marinades.

Olive oil: A healthy fat extracted from olives, commonly used in cooking and dressings.

When spreading hummus on the baguette, use the back of a spoon to ensure an even layer. This helps to create a consistent base that will hold the other ingredients in place. Additionally, to enhance the flavor, consider lightly toasting the baguette before assembling the Italian subs. This adds a delightful crunch and brings out the natural flavors of the bread.

• baguette - Substitute with whole grain sub roll: Whole grain sub rolls provide a healthier alternative with more fiber and nutrients.

• hummus - Substitute with avocado spread: Avocado spread offers a creamy texture and healthy fats, making it a nutritious alternative.

• sliced roasted red peppers - Substitute with grilled zucchini slices: Grilled zucchini slices add a smoky flavor and a different texture, while still providing a similar color and nutritional profile.

• chopped artichoke hearts - Substitute with marinated mushrooms: Marinated mushrooms offer a similar umami flavor and texture, making them a good substitute.

• sliced cucumber - Substitute with sliced radishes: Sliced radishes provide a similar crunch and a slightly peppery flavor, adding a different dimension to the sandwich.

• thinly sliced red onion - Substitute with thinly sliced shallots: Thinly sliced shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to red onions.

• mixed greens - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach provides a similar texture and nutritional benefits, with a slightly different flavor profile.

• balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar offers a tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients well.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar texture and health benefits, with a slightly different flavor.

• To keep your Italian subs fresh, wrap each piece tightly in parchment paper or aluminum foil. This helps maintain the sandwich's structure and prevents the hummus from making the baguette soggy.
• Place the wrapped subs in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. This extra layer of protection ensures that your subs stay fresh and flavorful.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. Your Italian subs will stay fresh for up to 2 days. Beyond this, the vegetables may start to lose their crispness, and the baguette could become too soft.
• If you need to store the subs for a longer period, consider freezing them. Wrap each sub tightly in 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 enjoy, thaw the subs in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, you can thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.
• To refresh the baguette, consider toasting it lightly in the oven or a toaster oven for a few minutes. This will help restore some of the original crispness.
• Avoid microwaving the subs as it can make the baguette chewy and the vegetables soggy.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the Italian subs in aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out. Place them on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This method ensures the baguette remains crispy while the hummus and vegetables inside get perfectly warmed.

• If you're in a hurry, use a microwave. Place the Italian subs on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating. This method is quick but may make the baguette a bit softer.

• For a stovetop method, use a skillet over medium heat. Wrap the Italian subs in aluminum foil and place them in the skillet. Cover with a lid and heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the baguette while evenly warming the filling.

• If you have a toaster oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Wrap the Italian subs in aluminum foil and place them on the toaster oven rack. Heat for about 10-12 minutes. This method is great for maintaining the texture and flavor of the subs.

• For an air fryer, preheat it to 320°F (160°C). Wrap the Italian subs in aluminum foil and place them in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes. This method is quick and keeps the baguette crispy while warming the ingredients inside.

• Baguette knife: A serrated knife ideal for slicing through the crusty exterior of the baguette without crushing the soft interior.

• Cutting board: A sturdy surface to safely chop and prepare your vegetables and other ingredients.

• Spreading knife: A small knife or spatula to evenly spread the hummus on the baguette.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring out the hummus, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and other ingredients.

• Mixing bowl: Useful for tossing the mixed greens with balsamic vinegar and olive oil before adding them to the sandwich.

• Tongs: Handy for layering the vegetables and greens onto the baguette without making a mess.

• Small whisk: Ideal for mixing the balsamic vinegar and olive oil together to ensure an even drizzle.

• Salt and pepper shakers: For seasoning the sandwich to taste.

• Bread knife: Another serrated knife to cut the assembled baguette into four pieces.

• Serving platter: A nice presentation piece to serve the cut sandwiches.

Pre-slice ingredients: Pre-slice cucumber, red onion, and baguette in advance to save time during assembly.

Use store-bought hummus: Opt for store-bought hummus to skip the preparation step and speed up the process.

Pre-wash mixed greens: Wash and dry mixed greens ahead of time so they are ready to use.

Layer efficiently: Arrange all your ingredients in an assembly line to make layering quick and easy.

Make ahead: Assemble the subs the night before and store them in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go meal.