Remember the movie Bridesmaids? Beyond the hilarious scenes, there was one that was surprisingly memorable for food lovers – the “hungry bear” scene featuring a sandwich packed with delicious fillings. While sandwiches might not be the center of intimate moments for everyone, discovering a truly satisfying sandwich is always a delightful experience. For those who appreciate a hearty, flavorful bite, the Jimmy John’s No. 9, also known as the Italian Night Club, stands out.
Unpacking the Italian Night Club Experience
The Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club is more than just a sandwich; it’s a flavor explosion. Loaded with capicola, hard salami, and smoked ham, it’s a carnivore’s dream nestled between slices of bread. As dining out costs have increased, many have turned to recreating their favorite restaurant meals at home. The Italian Night Club, with its distinct ingredients, became a prime candidate for homemade replication. Sourcing capicola, sometimes referred to as capocollo or gabagool, can be a bit of a treasure hunt, especially outside major metropolitan areas. However, persistence pays off, and often, it can be found within charcuterie selections at well-stocked grocery stores.
The remaining ingredients are readily accessible, especially with Jimmy John’s menu readily available online for reference. While purists might opt for Jimmy John’s signature French bread (available for purchase at some locations), a quality hoagie roll serves as an excellent base. Small personal tweaks, like substituting red wine vinegar and olive oil with avocado oil and white balsamic vinegar, can further refine the sandwich to individual taste preferences, offering a lighter, slightly sweeter tang.
Crafting Your Homemade Italian Night Club: Ingredients List
To embark on your Italian Night Club culinary adventure, gather these key ingredients:
- Capicola (or Capocollo/Gabagool)
- Smoked Ham
- Hard Salami
- Hoagie Roll (or French bread if available)
- Iceberg Lettuce
- White Onion
- Roma Tomatoes
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Basil
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Hellman’s Mayonnaise (or your preferred brand)
- White Balsamic Vinegar
- Avocado Oil (or Olive Oil)
- Provolone Cheese
Step-by-Step Guide to Sandwich Perfection
Let’s assemble this Italian masterpiece:
- Prep the Veggies: Thinly slice the iceberg lettuce and white onion. Slice the Roma tomatoes slightly thicker to hold their shape.
- Create the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of avocado oil with 1 tablespoon of white balsamic vinegar. Add a pinch of salt, pepper, dried basil, and oregano. Toss the sliced lettuce, onions, and tomatoes in this vinaigrette, ensuring they are evenly coated. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Bread Preparation: Using a serrated bread knife, carefully slice open the hoagie roll. Generously spread Hellman’s mayonnaise on both the top and bottom halves of the roll. Sprinkle a touch of dried basil and oregano over the mayonnaise for an extra layer of flavor.
- Layer the Meats and Cheese: Begin layering the meats onto the bottom half of the roll. Overlap each slice of capicola, smoked ham, and hard salami to create a substantial and flavorful meat base. Next, add a generous layer of provolone cheese on top of the meats.
- Add the Vegetables: Spoon the marinated vegetables evenly over the cheese layer. Layering in this order – meats, cheese, then vegetables – helps prevent the fillings from slipping out when you take a bite.
- Final Assembly: Place the top half of the hoagie roll over the layered ingredients to complete your Italian Night Club sandwich.
Ideally, wrapping the assembled sandwich in parchment paper or foil and allowing it to rest for a few minutes allows the flavors to further combine, enhancing the overall experience. However, as demonstrated, the allure of this sandwich is often too strong to resist, prompting immediate enjoyment upon slicing.
Indulge in your homemade Jimmy John’s Italian Night Club and savor the explosion of Italian-inspired flavors!
