Pesto: Take 2

So what else can you do with all that scrumptious pesto you made for your Tortelloni Salad? Well, the possibilities are endless, but today I will tackle an easy use: Sandwich Spread. Yep, that simple.

But first I must take a step back - I have mentioned Jungle Jim's several times recently, and I really must talk about this mega-store. First of all, you cannot miss this food emporium if you are anywhere near it. There is a gigantic giraffe and waterfall out front, it looks like a mall, there is a weird subway tram shooting out of a roof. You get the idea. Of course the inside is even stranger. According to their website, the entire complex spreads out over 6 acres! Trust me, after you've been in the gigantic grocery for a couple hours, your legs get tired. But you can always pause to rest and watch a performance by the Elvis Gorilla or Pedro the Mariachi Man. And to think I am just scratching the surface of the fantastical weirdness that is Jungle Jim's.

So why am I waxing poetic (well, sort of) about Jungle Jim's? Mostly because of the cured meat counter. Who knew a 28 year old girl could be all a-twitter over cured meats? My sister, who shops at Jungle Jim's as her regular grocery store, had never even noticed this counter until I found it. (As much as I think L should have noticed this haven of all things porky and good, the store is pretty overwhelming, and I am sure you can discover something new every time you go!) I must have spent at least 30 minutes there sampling a variety of cured meats and sausages. I was enveloped in a lovely porcine fog that befuddled me into buying enough bits of salami, mortadella, chouriço, lomo and jamón serrano for a small army. I see several delicious meals in my future. Which brings me full circle...

The pesto from yesterday makes an amazing spread to this simple, yet delicious, toasted Italian sandwich. I don't even really think of this as a recipe - more like a picture of an awesome sandwich that you could make with any combination of ingredients that you had on hand. I have, however, done my best to include links to these two incredible sandwich meats in case you want a sandwich just like mine. Or in case you are inspired and want to make the trip to Jungle Jim's in lovely Fairfield, Ohio. (Okay, maybe not lovely Fairfield, Ohio - I really don't know what else it has to offer; although, I have heard a rumor that an IKEA is opening nearby which makes it a totally worthwhile day-trip!)

Ciabatta Bread, split open and toasted in the oven
Pesto (any kind works)
2 thin slices Columbus Salame Mortadella (or any good mortadella)
3 thin slices Columbus Salame Artisan Collection Finocchiona (or any good salami)
1 roasted bell pepper, thinly sliced
crumbled fresh feta cheese
leaf lettuce
thinly sliced onions

Stack it all up to a make delicious sandwich.