Café Maspero's New Orleans Pastrami Muffuletta
Experience the vibrant flavors of New Orleans with this extraordinary Pastrami Muffuletta, inspired by the beloved Café Maspero in the French Quarter. This sandwich, a variation on the traditional muffuletta, showcases layers of tender pastrami, rich smoked ham, and robust Genoa salami—all embraced by a symphony of Mediterranean flavors from a distinctive olive salad. With a hint of garlic, oregano, and a delightful mix of marinated vegetables, this sandwich is topped with gooey provolone cheese, creating an indulgent and satisfying meal perfect for a lunch gathering or snack. Serve it warm and share a taste of Louisiana at your dining table.
N/A
Servings
585
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Giardiniera
4 ounces (mixed marinated vegetables, drained and coarsely chopped)
Greek Kalamata Olives
3 ounces (pitted)
Sicilian Olives
3 ounces (pitted)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (for mixing into the olive salad)
Minced Garlic
1 tablespoon (freshly minced)
Dried Oregano
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Ground Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Seeded Rolls
4 (sliced in half)
Smoked Ham
1/2 pound (thinly sliced)
Pastrami
1/2 pound (thinly sliced)
Genoa Salami
8 slices (for layering)
Provolone Cheese
8 slices (for topping)
Olive Salad
1 cup (for spreading on the rolls)
Instructions
1
Begin by draining the giardiniera and olives, then place them into a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
2
Transfer the chopped mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, and ground black pepper to the bowl. Stir thoroughly to combine, and allow the mixture to marinate for at least one hour to develop its rich flavors.
3
After marinating, preheat your oven's broiler.
4
Slice your seeded rolls in half and generously spread 1 tablespoon of the prepared olive salad on each side of the rolls.
5
Layer 3 slices of pastrami on the bottom half of each roll, followed by 3 slices of smoked ham, and then 2 slices of Genoa salami.
6
Top each assembly with 2 slices of provolone cheese, ensuring that the layers are even.
7
Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is warmed through, about 2-4 minutes depending on your broiler. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
8
Once melted, remove from the oven and carefully place the top half of the roll on each sandwich. Serve immediately while still warm, allowing everyone to savor this delicious taste of New Orleans.
Nutrition Information
35g
Fat
35g
Carbs
31g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Café Maspero's Pastrami Muffuletta?
It is a New Orleans-style sandwich inspired by the French Quarter's Café Maspero, featuring pastrami, ham, salami, and a signature olive salad.
What meats are included in this muffuletta?
The sandwich layers tender pastrami, rich smoked ham, and robust Genoa salami.
What are the main components of the olive salad?
The olive salad consists of giardiniera, Greek Kalamata olives, Sicilian olives, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano, and black pepper.
How do you prepare the olives and vegetables for the salad?
Drain the giardiniera and olives, then pulse them in a food processor until they are coarsely chopped.
How long should the olive salad marinate?
The mixture should marinate for at least one hour to allow the rich flavors to develop.
What kind of bread is used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for four seeded rolls, sliced in half.
How much olive salad should I put on each sandwich?
Generously spread one tablespoon of the prepared olive salad on each side of the rolls.
How many slices of meat go on each roll?
Each roll should have 3 slices of pastrami, 3 slices of smoked ham, and 2 slices of Genoa salami.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
Two slices of provolone cheese are used to top each sandwich assembly.
What is the recommended cooking method?
The sandwiches should be placed on a baking sheet and broiled until the cheese is melted and the sandwich is warmed through.
How long does the sandwich need to broil?
It typically takes about 2 to 4 minutes depending on your broiler; watch closely to prevent burning.
Should the sandwich be served hot or cold?
It is recommended to serve the sandwich immediately while still warm to savor the melted cheese and heated meats.
What is the calorie count for this Pastrami Muffuletta?
Each serving contains approximately 585 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 31 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of this sandwich?
This sandwich contains 35 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in the recipe?
There are 35 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of olives are specified in the ingredients?
The recipe uses 3 ounces of pitted Greek Kalamata olives and 3 ounces of pitted Sicilian olives.
What is giardiniera?
Giardiniera is a mix of marinated vegetables; for this recipe, it should be drained and coarsely chopped.
How much garlic is required?
One tablespoon of freshly minced garlic is needed for the olive salad.
What seasonings are added to the olive salad?
One teaspoon of dried oregano and one teaspoon of ground black pepper are used for seasoning.
How much total pastrami and ham do I need?
You will need 1/2 pound of thinly sliced pastrami and 1/2 pound of thinly sliced smoked ham.
How many slices of Genoa salami are needed in total?
The recipe requires 8 slices of Genoa salami for four sandwiches.
How much extra virgin olive oil is used?
Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil are mixed into the olive salad.
Is this recipe considered Mediterranean?
Yes, it is characterized by Mediterranean flavors such as olives, garlic, oregano, and olive oil.
How many sandwiches does this recipe make?
The recipe is designed to make four individual sandwiches using four seeded rolls.
What should I do if I don't have a food processor?
You can manually chop the giardiniera and olives into a coarse mixture using a kitchen knife.
Can I use different types of cheese?
While provolone is traditional for this version, you can experiment with other meltable cheeses like mozzarella or Swiss.
What is the texture of the olive salad?
The olive salad should be coarsely chopped to provide a robust texture that complements the sliced meats.
Where does the Pastrami Muffuletta variation originate?
This specific variation is inspired by the culinary style of New Orleans, specifically the French Quarter.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
There are 13 specific ingredients listed to create the sandwiches and the olive salad.