Picnic Loaf

This is a great way to prepare sandwiches for a picnic, and can be made the day before – really allowing the flavours to develop.

Serves 4

1. Cut the loaf of bread in half horizontally through the middle. Remove the lid and scoop out the bread (see tip, below), leaving a border of about 1cm. Do the same to the bottom half of the loaf.
2. Spread the inside of each loaf half with mayonnaise. Then cover the bottom half of the loaf with half the lettuce leaves and half the tomato slices, then drizzle with 1 tsp pesto. Top with the wafer-thin ham, 2 mozzarella slices and a few basil leaves.
3. Next add the pepper antipasti, then the remaining lettuce leaves and tomato. Then top with the Parma ham and remaining mozzarella, and drizzle with the leftover pesto. Return the top of the bread, like a lid, and push down to close the loaf of bread. Cut the completed loaf into 4 and then wrap the whole loaf in parchment. Tie with string and chill until needed.

Tip: Whizz up the discarded bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs, which are always useful. Freeze to have on hand for other recipes.