european

European Baguette Sandwich

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food Plating: European Baguette Sandwich! WYKYK. My all-time favorite lunchtime sandwich begins with a bakery fresh French baguette. It has become the starting point for what I consider a staple in France and Europe. Perfect for picnics, compact enough for lunch, and elegant enough to eat with your fingers. Of course, it’s all about the ingredients. You may recall, my husband and I order French sea salt butter online after visiting the country years ago. I can’t buy it in America. But that’s okay because it freezes well. Personally, I love Emmental cheese and can buy that locally, along with prosciutto sold without added preservatives. Choose your ingredients wisely. One bite and you’ll practically feel your eyes roll back in heavenly bliss. 

EUROPEAN BAGUETTE SANDWICH

Ingredients: 

1 French baguette, halved and split lengthwise (makes two servings)

4 tablespoons French sea salt butter, room temperature

1 cup mixed greens

2-3 Swiss cheese slices

4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced 

2-4 sweet gherkins, sliced lengthwise 

Instructions:

To build your sandwich, place all four halves on the counter, open-faced. Slather each cut side with French sea salt butter. On the baguette that will be the top, divide the micro greens between the two portions. For the bottoms, layer the Swiss cheese onto the buttered side, followed by the paper-thin prosciutto. Finally, arrange the sweet gherkins over the prosciutto. Carefully place the tops of the sandwich onto the bottoms. Wrap each baguette sandwich in waxed paper. 

Bistro 821 in Naples, Florida

Dining Outside the Home: Bistro 821 in Naples, Florida! Located in the heart of historic Olde Naples along Fifth Avenue, not far from the beaches of the Gulf Coast, Bistro 821 awaits you. Whether you choose a charming indoor table for two or alfresco dining along the thoroughfare, excitement grows among the pulse of activity. Look around; notice the ambiance of European architecture. Peruse the world-class menu as you sip on a crafted cocktail of choice. There’s a lot to be said for enjoying the mood, quality, and atmosphere. These are the times we remember as special. Small plates make great beginnings for a taste of seafood. Graze through a salad as the conversation flows before deciding on a main course entree. Experienced servers are happy to answer any questions you may have. Before the evening comes to a close, save room for dessert, a specialty coffee, or the perfect nightcap.

Dining Outside the Home: Café Art Hemingway in Old Kapaa Town, Kauai

Dining Outside the Home: Café Art Hemingway in Old Kapaa Town, Kauai.  At first glance, it may appear as though this quaint little eatery, in that elusive shade of French Blue, is located along a scenic waterway flanked by a pastoral countryside in the south of France. On the front terrace the prized wicker chairs, with their airy casual character, suggest this is a place where friends kick off their shoes and relax while sipping espresso coffee and nibbling on buttery baguettes. After all, the simpler things in life can be an adventure on a somewhat ordinary day. Step inside Café Art Hemingway where food becomes art. It can be a raw delicacy, a creative masterpiece, an expression of the chef, or a delight for the eyes as well as the palate. You choose the genre from the diverse menu offerings, as long as it’s Old World European blended with a shot of Hawaiian cuisine. Merci Aloha!