How to Make a Proper Philly Hoagie: A Step-by-Step Guide 1. Choose the Right Roll: 2. Scoop the Roll: • Scoop out some of the inner bread from the bottom half of the roll before adding your ingredients. This prevents the sandwich from getting soggy and creates more space for the delicious fillings. 3. Add Condiments: • Olive oil and red wine vinegar: Drizzle olive oil and vinegar onto the bottom half of the roll (where the bread is unscooped). This gives the sandwich its classic Philly flavor while adding moisture without making the bread soggy. • Salt and pepper: Lightly season the oil and vinegar with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. • Optional mayo: If you like mayo, spread a thin layer on the top half of the roll. This adds creaminess without overpowering the sandwich’s classic flavor. 4. Layer the Meats: • Capicola, salami, and/or mortadella: Layer the deli meats onto the bottom half of the roll (directly on top of the oil and vinegar). Fold or crumple the meats slightly to keep the sandwich from becoming too flat. • Provolone cheese: Add thin slices of provolone cheese on top of the meats. The cheese should be slightly melted into the layers of meat. 5. Add the Fresh Veggies: • Shredded iceberg lettuce: Layer shredded lettuce on top of the cheese. It adds a fresh crunch and prevents the sandwich from becoming soggy. • Sliced tomatoes: Add sliced tomatoes on top of the lettuce. Make sure to evenly space them out—don’t overdo it or it might make the sandwich too soggy. • Thinly sliced red onions: Layer red onions on top of the tomatoes. If you want to tone down their sharpness, soak them in cold water for a few minutes before adding. • Hot or sweet peppers (optional): Add hot cherry peppers or pepperoncini for a spicy kick and extra flavor. 6. Add the Cherry Pepper Spread (Optional but recommended!): • Cento Cherry Pepper Spread is becoming a popular addition in Philly. You can spread this on the bottom half of the roll along with the oil and vinegar or layer it on top of the meats for a bolder flavor punch. 7. Top the Sandwich: • Close the hoagie with the top half of the roll. Gently press down to help all the layers meld together. If you like mayo, it should be on this half. Cut and Serve: Key Tips for a Perfect Philly Hoagie: • Scoop the bread: This helps prevent sogginess and creates room for more fillings. • Oil and vinegar go on the bottom, not mixed with the veggies like a salad dressing, for the best texture. • Mayo goes on top (if desired), so it doesn’t interfere with the classic oil-vinegar combo and keeps the sandwich from getting too messy.
Your guide to making a proper Philly hoagie looks pretty solid! Here are a few points to consider:
Choosing the Right Roll: Make sure to use a fresh, soft Italian hoagie roll with a slight crust on the outside. It should be sturdy enough to hold all the fillings but soft enough to bite through comfortably.
Scooping the Roll: Scooping out some of the inner bread from the bottom half of the roll is a great tip to prevent sogginess and create more space for the fillings. However, it's also common to scoop out both the top and bottom halves of the roll to maximize the filling-to-bread ratio and prevent the sandwich from becoming too bready.
Adding Condiments: Drizzling olive oil and red wine vinegar onto the bottom half of the roll is a classic Philly hoagie technique. Lightly seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper is perfect. Adding a thin layer of mayo on the top half of the roll is optional but adds a nice creaminess.
Layering the Meats: Capicola, salami, and/or mortadella are great choices for deli meats. Folding or crumpling the meats slightly helps keep the sandwich from becoming too flat. Adding thin slices of provolone cheese on top of the meats is a must for that melty, cheesy goodness.
Adding Fresh Veggies: Shredded iceberg lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onions are essential for a fresh crunch. Soaking the onions in cold water to tone down their sharpness is a good tip. Adding hot or sweet peppers is optional but adds a nice kick.
Cherry Pepper Spread: Cento Cherry Pepper Spread is a fantastic addition for a bolder flavor punch. You can spread it on the bottom half of the roll along with the oil and vinegar or layer it on top of the meats.
Topping the Sandwich: Closing the hoagie with the top half of the roll and gently pressing down to help all the layers meld together is key. If you like mayo, it should be on this half.
Key Tips for a Perfect Philly Hoagie:
Scooping the bread helps prevent sogginess and creates room for more fillings.
Oil and vinegar go on the bottom, not mixed with the veggies like a salad dressing, for the best texture.
Mayo goes on top (if desired), so it doesn’t interfere with the classic oil-vinegar combo and keeps the sandwich from getting too messy.
Your guide is pretty comprehensive and should help you make a delicious Philly hoagie! Enjoy your sandwich-making adventure!
