Anthony Bourdain’s Legendary Mortadella Sandwich
This sandwich is inspired by Anthony Bourdain’s love of simple yet bold Italian street food. A mortadella sandwich is indulgent, deeply flavorful, and a perfect nod to the late chef’s belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated.
Ingredients (Servings: 2)
- 4 slices fresh Italian ciabatta or rustic bread
- 6–8 slices mortadella (thinly sliced)
- 4 slices provolone cheese
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Arugula or mixed greens (optional)
- Freshly cracked black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the bread:
Slice your ciabatta or rustic bread in half and lightly drizzle each cut side with olive oil. Toast in a skillet or under a broiler until golden and slightly crisp.
2️⃣ Mix the spread:
In a small bowl, combine the Dijon mustard and mayonnaise into a creamy spread. Adjust to taste depending on how tangy or rich you prefer it.
3️⃣ Layer the mortadella:
Place a generous layer of mortadella slices onto the bottom half of the toasted bread. Let the slices fold naturally to create height and texture.
4️⃣ Add cheese and greens:
Top the mortadella with provolone cheese, then add a handful of arugula or mixed greens for freshness.
5️⃣ Finish the sandwich:
Spread the mustard-mayo mixture onto the top half of the bread. Sprinkle freshly cracked black pepper, close the sandwich, and press gently. Slice in half and serve immediately.
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to help you create the best Mortadella Sandwich
- 🥖 Ciabatta Bread – Rustic and hearty, perfect for this classic Italian-style sandwich.
- 🔪 Serrated Bread Knife – Essential for slicing fresh bread without crushing it.
- 🥩 Mortadella Deli Meat – The star of this sandwich, authentic and flavorful.
- 🧀 Provolone Cheese – Melty, mild, and a perfect balance for mortadella.
- 🥬 Arugula Greens – Peppery greens add freshness and bite.
- 🥄 Whole Grain Mustard – Adds texture and tang to the creamy spread.
💡 Helpful Tip: For an authentic street-food touch, warm the mortadella in a skillet for 30 seconds before building the sandwich—it enhances the aroma and makes the flavors pop.