The French Picnic Baguette Pan Bagnat Food

PAN BAGNAT (FRENCH TUNA SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Slice and store the sandwiches: With the sandwiches still wrapped in plastic, use a serrated knife to cut them into individual servings. The sandwiches are ready to eat now, or they can be packed into a picnic basket or lunch box and eaten within about two hours from now. The sandwiches taste best at room temperature.

THE FRENCH PICNIC BAGUETTE - PAN BAGNAT

Steps:

• Cut the baguette into even size portions.
• Then cut the baguette pieces or bread rolls in half lengthways, and scoop out some of the bread filling. (You use this for a gratin-type affair later in the week or for breadcrumbs).
• Rub the garlic over the inside of both halves, drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and season well.
• In one hollowed-out half, pack in the egg slices, tuna, tomatoes, anchovies, olives, chopped red onion and lettuce leaves.
• Drizzle with more oil, and a little white-wine vinegar.
• Put the other half of the baguette or bread roll on top, wrap snugly in tinfoil and place on a flat surface. Lay some big books on top to weigh it down. (I use a Larousse Gastronomique!).
• Leave for an hour or two. Then remove the tinfoil and wrap a band of greaseproof or brown paper around the middle of each portion, and tie tightly with kitchen string.
• These can then be stored overnight in a covered container until next day. (This is not necessary - but can be handy to avoid all the fuss next day!).
• Take them on your picnic with wine, fruit and good company!
• Sublime!

PICNIC PAN BAGNAT

Steps:

• Stir Dijon with vinegar and olive oil in a medium bowl. Flake in tuna and add olives and onions. Stir to combine.
• Slice baguette in half lengthwise. Spread tuna mixture over baguette. Top with tomato and egg slices. Slice into halves or quarters and wrap tightly with plastic wrap.

PAN BAGNAT (CLASSIC FRENCH SANDWICH)

Steps:

• Place your eggs in a pot with cold water. Boil your eggs for about 10 minutes, from the time the water starts boiling. Remove the eggs and cool them off in cold water.
• Place your Wild Planet Tuna in a bowl and mash it with a fork. Then thinly slice peppers and chop scallions. Add to tuna, and mix it all together.
• In a separate bowl, combine olive oil with mustard and mix together (this mixture can stay a little lumpy).
• Cut your bread horizontally and scoop out some of the bread from the inside (you'll want to create sort of a boat that will hold all the ingredients well together).
• Brush olive oil/mustard mixture onto the bottom half of the bread. Add sliced tomatoes, sliced eggs, sliced cucumbers, sliced olives, and anchovies.
• Brush oil/mustard mixture on top of your bread, cover the sandwich and wrap in plastic foil.
• Place the sandwich in between two baking sheets, and put something heavy on top to weight it down (cast iron skillet, brick or heavy books). Place it into the fridge. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight.
• Remove from the fridge and cut off the edges of the bread. Then cut the bread into 2" sandwiches and pack for a picnic.

PAN BAGNAT

Steps:

• Halve the baguette lengthwise, then cut it crosswise into 4 portions.
• Remove some of the light, fluffy bread from the center and reserve for another use (such as bread crumbs).
• In a medium bowl, combine the tuna, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and 1 Tablespoon of the oil.
• Place a few lettuce leaves on both halves of each baguette portion.
• top the bottom halves with the tuna mixture, tomatoes, onion, olives, basil and capers (if using).
• Drizzle with the remaining oil.
• Cover with the top half of each baguette portion and press gently but firmly.
• Enjoy or wrap and tote to your favorite outdoor activity.