When I found this recipe on the "Taste of Home" website, it was called Baked Deli Focaccia Sandwich. The title seemed a bit blase to me, so I have officially renamed it the "Nummy Pesto Sammie." I think the readers of "Taste of Home" would appreciate the name change, don'tcha think?

What really takes this sandwich from ordinary to extraordinary is the addition of the homemade pesto sauce. The pesto is bright, zesty, and delicious! I found myself smearing pieces of bread against the bowl looking for every last bit of the sauce. By the time I was done with that sucker, it was spotless - didn't even need to be washed. :) Who knew such a simple sauce could elevate these sandwiches to be worthy enough to serve to company. If you're hosting any type of luncheon celebration, these would be perfect to serve your guests. Easy and elegant - a definite keeper!


Nummy Pesto Sammie
Adapted from Taste of Home
4 servings

Ingredients

1 loaf (12 ounces) round focaccia bread

Prepared pesto or use pesto recipe below

1/4 pound sliced deli ham

1/4 pound sliced deli smoked turkey

1/4 pound sliced deli turkey pastrami

5 slices process American cheese*

Red onion, thinly sliced

1 small tomato, sliced 1/8” thick

Pesto Sauce

Makes about 3/4 cup

1/4 cup roasted pistachio nuts
3 medium size garlic cloves
4 cups loosely packed basil leaves (about 4 ounces)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
S&P to taste

1/2 cup (4 ounces) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Preparation
Combine nuts and garlic in a food processor; process until minced. Add basil, oil, salt, and pepper; process until blended, scraping sides occasionally. Spoon into a bowl and fold in cheese. Season to taste with S&P

~ I like my pesto pretty chunky. If you want it more runny add more EVOO

To assemble sandwich

Cut focaccia horizontally in half. Remove a bit of the bread from top half of focaccia; spread pesto over cut sides. On bread bottom, layer the ham, turkey, pastrami, cheese, onion and tomato. Replace bread top; wrap in foil. Place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until heated through. Let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into wedges

* I used plain Havarti cheese, 4 thin slices which roughly equaled 1/4 lb

**This serves 8 if you are having a large luncheon along with other dishes. If you are serving these just for a regular lunch it would only serve 4.