The Francesca

Shiitake mushrooms, pepperoni, mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes combine to make this spectacular sandwich.

Ingredients

7 tablespoons butter at room temperature, divided

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

8 ounces shiitake mushroom caps, thinly sliced

Salt and pepper

4 focaccia-style rolls, split

4 Wisconsin Fresh Mozzarella ovaline-size balls, each cut into 8 slices

16 slices pepperoni

1/2 cup ripe black olive slices

6-8 pepperoncini, halved

4 ounces marinated sun-dried tomatoes, dried and thinly sliced

Instructions

Mix 6 tablespoons butter with the garlic until light and smooth. Heat sauté pan over high heat; add olive oil, 1 tablespoon butter, and mushrooms. Season with pinch of salt and pepper; sauté 5 minutes. Spread cut sides of rolls with garlic butter.

Heat large skillet or sauté pan. Place roll bottoms in pan, butter-side down. Grill until golden brown. Flip roll bottoms. Layer on each bottom 4 slices Fresh Mozzarella, 4 slices pepperoni, some black olive slices, 3-4 pepperoncini halves, some sautéed mushrooms, 1 ounce sun-dried tomatoes, and 4 more slices Fresh Mozzarella. Place roll tops over. Grill until cheese is melted and bread is crisp and golden, turning sandwiches over once during grilling.

Servings: 4

Reprinted with permission from Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.