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Christmas Leftovers Toasted Bread Bowl Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 124 reviews
  • Author: Jack
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This Christmas Leftovers Toasted Bread Bowl is a creative and delicious way to repurpose your holiday meats and antipasto into a hearty, satisfying meal. Using a crusty bread loaf as an edible bowl, it’s layered with spinach, a medley of cooked meats, flavorful antipasto, and melted cheese, then baked to golden perfection. Ideal for a cozy family gathering or a festive snack, this recipe combines convenience and comfort with vibrant Mediterranean flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread Bowl

  • 1 round or oval bread loaf

Fillings

  • 300 g / 10 oz ham, turkey, and other cooked meat slices
  • 1 cup roughly chopped antipasto items (olives, sun-dried tomato, chargrilled peppers, artichokes, feta, etc.)
  • 4 – 6 slices cheese of choice (Swiss recommended)
  • 3 big handfuls baby spinach (~75 g / 2.5 oz)

Butter Garlic Mixture

  • 50 g / 3 tbsp salted butter, melted
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F), ensuring it is ready for baking the bread bowl later.
  2. Prepare Butter Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the minced garlic to create a flavorful spread.
  3. Hollow the Bread: Cut the top off the bread loaf. Hollow out the inside of the loaf and the cut-off lid, leaving about 1.5 cm (3/5 inch) thick walls and bottom to maintain structure.
  4. Apply Butter Inside Bread: Place the hollowed bread on a large sheet of foil on a baking tray. Dab or brush the garlic butter mixture generously inside the hollowed cavity of the bread.
  5. Layer Fillings: Layer the ingredients inside the loaf in this order: half of the baby spinach, turkey slices, chopped antipasto ingredients, remaining baby spinach, ham slices, and finally top with cheese slices. Tuck in any protruding fillings inside the loaf to keep everything contained.
  6. Close Bread Bowl: Place the hollowed bread lid back on top of the filled loaf to close it securely.
  7. Butter the Exterior: Brush the garlic butter mixture all over the outside of the bread bowl for extra flavor and crispiness.
  8. Wrap and Weigh Down: Wrap the entire loaf tightly with foil. Place something flat and heavy, such as a cast iron skillet, on top to press the loaf down slightly.
  9. Bake Covered: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes with the foil and weight on, allowing the fillings to heat through and the flavors to meld.
  10. Uncover and Bake: Remove the cast iron skillet and foil, then bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the bread and melt the cheese until golden on top.
  11. Serve: Once done, remove from oven, cut into thick slices, and serve immediately to enjoy the warm, melty, and savory bread bowl.

Notes

  • Use a sturdy round or oval bread loaf such as sourdough or country bread for best structural integrity.
  • You can customize the fillings based on your leftover meats and antipasto from previous meals.
  • For added flavor, consider sprinkling fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme in the layering process.
  • Pressing the bread while baking helps the layers meld together and prevents the bread from becoming too fluffy inside.
  • This dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven as the bread will be crispy and the cheese melted.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas leftovers recipe, toasted bread bowl, leftover turkey, holiday meal ideas, baked bread bowl, antipasto bread bowl

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Find it online: https://eatwithjack.com/christmas-leftovers-toasted-bread-bowl-recipe/