French Food Friday - Pan Bagnat

TGIF, it has been a busy week and we are looking forward to the weekend.

It is going to be very hot and sunny in France so it will be perfect "pique-nique" weather.

One of our favourite picnic recipes is Pan Bagnat and there really is nothing like it.

As you know I make my own buns for this, for anyone that wants to do this - you can find the recipe here.

Pan Bagnat

Ingredients

2 plum tomatoes, cored and thinly sliced crosswise

Kosher salt, to taste

1 (5-oz.) can olive oil-packed tuna, drained

4 scallions, thinly sliced

¹⁄₂ small red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced into 2" lengths

¹⁄₃ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 (7-inch–round) rustic bread loaf, split (about 20 oz.)

1 small bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced crosswise

1 small cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise

2 hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced crosswise

8 oil-cured anchovies, drained

10 salt-cured black olives, pitted and halved

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Sprinkle tomato slices liberally with salt and transfer to a colander; set aside to drain for 30 minutes. 

In a small bowl, break up tuna with a fork and stir in scallions and bell pepper; set aside. 

In another small bowl, whisk together oil and mustard; set dressing aside. 

Scoop the insides from the bread loaf and discard or reserve for another use. 

Place tomatoes evenly over bottom of bread and then top with fennel and cucumbers; spread tuna mixture over top, and then top with egg slices, anchovies, and olives. 

Pour dressing evenly over ingredients, and season with salt and pepper; cover with top of bread, pressing lightly to compact.

Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and place on a baking sheet; top with another baking sheet and weight with a cast-iron skillet. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Slice into quarters to serve.

bon vendredi à tous♥

 Leeann x