Happy Picnic Month! Did you know that July is National Picnic Month? I didn’t have a clue myself until recently. I am so excited to learn about it though, because my family absolutely loves going on picnics. It’s such a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy a meal, as well as enjoy the outdoors. In honor of National Picnic Month, I think a few additional picnics are in order before July is over. In honor of National Picnic Month I made these delicious Italian Ciabatta Sandwiches. These sammys are so full of flavor, and the ciabatta sandwich rolls hold up really well for a trip to the park.
They were delish and went perfectly with my daughter’s couscous salad! This turned out to be one of my favorite picnic lunches ever. I’m also loving that cherries are still in season, so we brought along a big bowl of cherries. We don’t often drink soda at my house, so the cream sodas were a real treat.
On the morning that I prepared this picnic we had a couple of gentlemen over pressure washing the house, so I made a couple of extra sandwiches for them to take with them for lunch. The older gentleman really pulled at my heart strings when he sincerely said that it felt like Christmas. It was the simplest act, but I know those sandwiches were much enjoyed.
Doesn’t that sandwich look good enough to eat?
Italian Ciabatta Sandwiches
ingredients:
Ciabatta sandwich rolls
sliced salami
sliced ham
prepared pesto (store bought is fine)
sliced tomatoes, drenched in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
basil leaves or arugula
sliced Mozzarella, Provolone, or Asiago Cheese
salt and pepper
directions:
A little while before you plan to make your sandwiches, slice your tomatoes and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper, then pour a couple teaspoons of olive oil an vinegar over them. Let them sit for a while to soak in all that delicious flavor.
Slice your Ciabatta roll and spread about a teaspoon or so of prepared pesto onto the bottom piece of bread. Top with two slices of ham and several slices of salami. Add a slice of cheese. Mozzarella and Provolone are great choices, but I happened to have some sliced Asiago so that’s what I used. Add a couple of the oil and vinegar soaked tomato slices, some basil leaves or arugula. Top with the other slice of bread and enjoy.
For a picnic, I like to wrap my sandwiches individually in parchment or waxed paper and tie them with a string. It keeps them fresh and I think it looks kinda cute.
What are some of your favorite picnic recipes?
You might also enjoy these lemony macaroni salad and summer’s best banana pudding recipes.

Italian Ciabatta Sandwiches
Ingredients
- Ciabatta sandwich rolls
- sliced salami sliced ham
- prepared pesto store bought is fine
- sliced tomatoes drenched in olive oil and balsamic vinegar
- basil leaves or arugula
- sliced Mozzarella Provolone, or Asiago Cheese
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- A little while before you plan to make your sandwiches, slice your tomatoes and place them in a bowl. Sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper, then pour a couple teaspoons of olive oil an vinegar over them. Let them sit for a while to soak in all that delicious flavor.
- Slice your Ciabatta roll and spread about a teaspoon or so of prepared pesto onto the bottom piece of bread. Top with two slices of ham and several slices of salami. Add a slice of cheese. Mozzarella and Provolone are great choices, but I happened to have some sliced Asiago so that’s what I used. Add a couple of the oil and vinegar soaked tomato slices, some basil leaves or arugula. Top with the other slice of bread and enjoy.
- For a picnic, I like to wrap my sandwiches individually in parchment or waxed paper and tie them with a string. It keeps them fresh and I think it looks kinda cute.
I personally think sandwiches are the ideal food for summer lunches. I can’t wait to try out these great recipes. Especially love the way you wrapped them up. So cute! Thank you for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you again next week.
I love a good sandwich and that couscous salad is definitely a must try.
Gorgeous sandwiches – my family would go crazy for them! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
You inspire me! Thank you so much for linking up at the Be Awesome Link Party. I featured you as one of the post from last week that made me want to click them and pin them! Here is the link:
http://www.sewcreativeblog.com/summer-inspired-awesome-link-party-come-link/
Best Wishes,
Crystal
Thanks so much, Crystal!
Thanks for coming and linking up at #The Weekend Social. Please be sure to come back next week starting Thursdays at 9PM EST on Kitchen Dreaming.com ! I hope to see you there! Pinned
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