Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 squares focaccia bread, 5x5 inches, or puffy pizza crust baked without toppings
- 1-1/2 cups (lightly packed) baby lettuces or arugula
- 1 cup roasted red bell pepper pieces
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced about 1/4-inch thick (may substitute regular mozzarella, provolone or mild Swiss)
- 16 cooked asparagus spears
- 4 slices pancetta or thick bacon cooked almost crisp and broken into 3-inch pieces
Directions
Have ingredients at room temperature. Make Lemon Aioli (flavored mayonnaise) by whisking together the lemon zest, juice and garlic, which has been slightly mashed with the salt (use a sharp knife tip on a cutting board). Whisk in the mayonnaise and olive oil. Spread on smooth side of each square of focaccia, using a generous 1/2 tablespoon.
Divide remaining ingredients among 4 squares focaccia, layered in the order listed. Top with remaining 4 squares focaccia. Cut each sandwich in half into two triangles.
Sandwiches can be served at room temperature or warm in a 450-degree oven a few minutes, especially if regular mozzarella was substituted for fresh. Sandwiches are not meant to be served hot.
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By dfatchance_6315938
Sacramento, CA
on August 05, 2007
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This sandwich had so much flavor, everyone at the party loved it. The asparagus, when cooked just right with a little firmness to the bite, creates a nice texture too.
By batface89
Grand Rapids, MI
on March 05, 2007
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I could eat this until I'm sick! I made homemade foccacia and used turkey bacon instead of pancetta and man, was it good. My only complaint is that my mouth isn't big enough to fit around the sandwich! Haha.
By Tehama
Raleigh, NC
on December 05, 2006
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I toyed around with the recipe a little bit and it was scrumptious. First of all, I made it as a pizza instead of sandwich/foccaccia style. After preparing the pizza crust as directed (just used the refrigerated Pillsbury brand, I combined the first 6 ingredients, a jar of roasted red peppers (chopped into small pieces, and lots of chopped bacon (being the bacon lover, I cooked an entire package of bacon and chopped into small pieces into a sauce. I spread the sauce onto the prepared pizza crust and then covered the sauce entirely with swiss cheese slices. I had previously prepared the asparagus al-dente, and then chopped them into 1" pieces. I then sprinkled the asparagus on top of the cheese and put the pizza back in the oven to melt the cheese.
The roasted-red pepper, bacon, mild swiss & asparagus make the most heavenly flavor --- I promise you that you will not be disappointed!
Read all 5 reviews