Jambon-Buerre French Baguettes

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Test Kitchen Favorites: Jambon-Buerre French Baguettes! You can practically hear the music playing “Là Vie en Rose” in the memory-banks of your mind as you prepare this authentic version of a classic French picnic lunch. Discovering a French bakery stateside that bakes French baguettes is a gift beyond measure. I walked out with a market bag of assorted European bakery breads anticipating the delicacies that would soon follow. Such a delight! In hindsight, I teasingly referred to these scrumptious sandwiches as a common “Happy Meal” when purchased at the local patisserie. How spoiled am I? 

JAMBON-BUERRE FRENCH BAGUETTES 

Ingredients: 

1 traditional French baguette

2 -3 tablespoons French sea salt butter

1 tablespoon mayonnaise 

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons caramelized onion jam

6-8 slices Emmental cheese 

6-8 slices prosciutto or jambon

Sweet gherkins, sliced in half horizontally 

Instructions: 

Cut the French baguette in half horizontally and separate. Butter cut sides with sea salt french butter. Spread mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on the top half. Spread caramelized onion jam on the bottom half. Cut slices of Emmental cheese on an angle and lay on the bottom portion of the baguette. Peel off the prosciutto, or jambon, and layer on top of the cheese. Arrange the halved gherkins over all. Place the top half onto the bottom half of the sandwich. Wrap with parchment paper and tie into place. These sandwiches can be eaten right away, or packed for a picnic. 

Jambon de Bayonne Baguette

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Food for Sharing: Jambon de Bayonne Baguette! If you don’t have time to run by the local artisan bakery, consider this option. By using ingredients you may already have on hand from the local supermarket deli, this homemade version of a Parisian favorite can be done in minutes. It’s basically a ham and cheese sandwich stepped up a notch.

JAMBON DE BAYONNE BAGUETTE

Ingredients:

1 baguette, cut in half (serves 2)

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 teaspoon Herbs de Provence

1-2 Roma tomatoes, sliced

3 ounces Jambon de Bayonne, or aged prosciutto

2 romaine lettuce leaves

2 slices espresso/lavender rubbed cheese

8 cornichon gherkins

Instructions:

Slice baguette lengthwise, without cutting all the way through to create a submarine sandwich. Spread a fine layer of Dijon mustard over each baguette half. In a small bowl, combine olive oil and herbs de Provence. Add slices tomatoes to coat, reserving olive oil mixture. Place one layer of tomatoes in each baguette. Next divide prosciutto, romaine lettuce, and gourmet cheese between baguette sandwiches. Top with cornichon gherkins. Drizzle with remaining herbed olive oil. Close and serve. Bon Appétit!