[Recipe] Spicy Meatball Sandwiches

[Guest guest]

Ingredients:

 

Vegetarian or vegan meatballs

Jar of your favorite pasta sauce

Red pepper flakes, to taste

Sliced or grated mozzarella cheese (vegans, use vegan cheese)

 

A loaf of Italian bread, or individual rectangular rolls

One large garlic clove, peeled and smashed

 

Preparation:

 

Heat pasta sauce in a pan with meatballs, stirring occasionally. Season with red

pepper

flakes to taste.

 

While sauce and meatballs are warming, heat a large, heavy skillet (cast iron is

best) over

medium-low heat. Brush it lightly with olive oil. If using a loaf of bread,

slice it in half

horizontally, then cut into 6-inch lengths. If using rolls, slice each in half

horizontally. Rub

the cut surfaces with smashed garlic clove and brush lightly with extra-virgin

olive oil.

Arrange as many of the pieces, cut side down, in the pan as fit without

overlapping.

Weight the bread down with a slightly smaller skillet and cook until the

underside of the

bread is golden brown and crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove and repeat as

necessary with

remaining bread. (If needed, you can keep the cooked garlic bread warm in an

oven set at

its lowest heat.)

 

To serve, ladle meatballs and sauce on garlic bread. (You may find it easier to

eat this

messy sandwich if you slice the meatballs in half first.) Sprinkle with

mozzarella cheese.