Easy Italian Grilled Sandwiches

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Split bread horizontally; scoop out soft interior and reserve for croutons or breadcrumbs (see cook's note). Brush inside of each bread half with oil. Bake, cut-side up, until toasted, about 7 minutes. Let cool completely. Spread tapenade on bottom half of bread; add provolone and mozzarella. Top with peppers, artichokes, and salami. Scatter top with arugula. Top with other bread half; press to sandwich.

2. Wrap tightly with foil. Place a heavy skillet on top; weigh down with canned goods. Refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 8 hours.

3. Preheat a grill to medium, or oven to 375°F. Transfer wrapped sandwich to grill and cover (or transfer to oven); cook, flipping once, until cheese begins to melt and bread is crisp, about 20 minutes. Remove foil, slice, and serve.

Cook's Notes

To make cheesy croutons from the scooped-out bread, tear it into one-inch pieces and toss with two tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and one tablespoon grated Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper and bake at 375°F until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.