Pan Bagnat Aka Fancy French Tuna Salad Sandwich Food

PAN BAGNAT (PROVENçAL TUNA SANDWICH)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Set aside to infuse the oil for 5-10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. (This could be done up to 12 hours ahead of time to really get a punch of flavor into the oil.)
• Slice the baguette length-wise, all the way through, creating two long halves.
• Drizzle the garlic infused olive oil over the two halves of the bread. Layer the tomato slices, red onions, and green pepper slices over one of the halves. Continue layering the tuna, sliced eggs, olives, and anchovies (if using).
• Top the sandwich with the second half of baguette. Press the sandwich firmly to help keep the ingredients in place and cut the baguette into four even pieces.
• The sandwich can be eaten immediately, but for the traditional, pressed version that is great for taking on picnics, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and place it under some sort of weight (a cast iron pan, a can of tuna, a plate weighted down with some bags of beans). Press the sandwich for at least 30 minutes, or it can be refrigerated and pressed for up to 24 hours. The longer the sandwich sets, the more the flavors will infuse. Let the sandwich come to room temperature before serving.

PAN BAGNAT (PRESSED FRENCH TUNA SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Stir garlic into the olive oil and set aside.
• Partially hollow out the bread by pulling out about 50% of the insides. Brush the bread very generously with the garlic olive oil, reserving about 1 tablespoon for later use.
• Begin building the sandwich by placing a layer of sliced tomatoes on the bottom half, covering it completely. Season with salt and pepper. Top with sliced onion, olives, and banana peppers.
• Crumble the tuna over the top, pressing down slightly so it stays in place. Be sure to go as close to the edges as possible. Top with anchovy filets, capers, sliced eggs, and basil leaves. Top with another layer of tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle with vinegar and reserved garlic olive oil.
• Place the top half of the loaf on and press firmly to compress the ingredients. Wrap in several layers of plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, ending with seams at the top.
• Place into a large pan and place a sheet pan over the top. Weigh down with heavy cans, pots, a cast iron pan, or a cutting board, to press the sandwich as evenly as possible.
• Place in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours, or up to overnight, turning halfway through if possible. Unwrap, slice, and serve.

PAN BAGNAT SANDWICH WITH TUNA, ANCHOVIES, AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Cut baguette in half crosswise with a serrated knife, then split each half lengthwise. Drizzle cut sides of bread with oil and rub with garlic. Arrange 2 anchovies on top half of each baguette.
• Toss onion and vinegar in a medium bowl and season with 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper. Let stand 5 minutes. Add tuna and parsley and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. Pile tuna mixture on bottom half of each baguette. Top tuna mixture with eggs and olives.
• Arrange tomato slices on top of anchovies and close sandwiches. Wrap sandwiches tightly in foil and place a heavy pot or skillet on top. Add a few heavy objects such as cans to weigh down pot and press down on sandwiches. Let sit at room temperature at least 40 minutes and up to 1 hour. Unwrap, slice each sandwich in half crosswise (if desired), and serve.