Pan Bagnat
[Edit: to save any more of you e-mailing me - I've called it 'pan' rather than 'pain' because google told me so. I don't know why either.]
Firstly I would like to express my irritation with the man who persuaded me to buy these tomatoes which he promised would be sweet and delicious, even in UK spring time. Curiosity got the better of me and I caved. Of course, they didn’t taste of much. I called him a name which I shall not repeat here – not to his face of course, I made sure to complain behind his back like a good British customer.
You may have noticed that I haven’t posted about a sandwich I’ve found in the city for a while. That’s because March was a cursed month as far as the sammich was concerned (my partner in sandwich crime Jonathan had similar problems). I successfully tracked down many promising candidates but the execution was always foiled at the last minute. For this reason then, I bring you one of my favourite ever sangers, from my own little kitchen – a stand in for March (and probably most of April by the time you get this).
The pan bagnat is a Provençal sandwich, originating from Nice. It traditionally contains a salade niçoise but you can stuff it with practically anything and my slightly crazy version is filled with practically everything that happened to be lurking in my fridge that day. So, you get yourself a nice round loaf, scoop out the middle and then give the inside a good brushing with some garlicky oil.
Then you just need to start layering it up. I had some of those little peppers stuffed with cheese so they went in followed by some cucumber for crunch and then salty anchovies and basil leaves.
I sprinkled a few capers on top of the fishy layer before adding marinated artichokes.
Those fruits masquerading as tomatoes went on next followed by some spring onion shreds and gem lettuce (with hindsight putting the lettuce on top is a silly idea, as it prevents juices from meeting with bread). Then you weigh the whole thing down well in the fridge for a few hours so that the bread soaks up all the lovely juices within (at least on the bottom anyway…).
The bagnat is perfect picnic fare as you just cut it into big, fat wedges and chow down. This is by no means the best I’ve ever made – previous successes have included grilled vegetables, mozzarella, olives and sometimes cured meats. Still, not bad for a fridge job eh? A king among sandwiches and a true flavour explosion.
Category: Picnic, Sandwiches, Sandwiches and The City, Snacks 24 comments »
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
I’ve always shied away from pan bagnat because of the typical tuna put in it…your version looks great, though!
Mindys last blog post..Roasted Tomato and Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Do you get a soggy bottom with this (the bread of course)? Or is that a good thing? Just thinking from a picnic transportation point of view.
Looks like a darn good sandwich.
The Graphic Foodies last blog post..RECIPE: Potato gnocchi
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Oooh that looks so good, despite the crappy tomatoes. I actually managed to get some really sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes from Telegraph Hill farmers market – grown in Kent too.
This reminds me of an episode of the Two Fat Ladies – Shooter’s sandwich, I think it was – except you remove the innards of a loaf of bread, stuff it with a rare-fried steak, some mushrooms, do the weighted thing and then slice.
Lizzies last blog post..Wood Pigeon Breast with Sherry & Onion Sauce
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Graphic Foodie – yeah, that is the point, although you only leave it for a few hours. If you left it overnight I could imagine it would become soggy rather than tenderly bathed with the juices. It means bathed bread or something like that. Even though the word used is ‘pan rather than ‘pain’ – I don’t know why.
Lizzie – That sounds amazing!! Making it making it making it.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Wow – I want one of those soon – looks wonderful – and loads of possibilities for making your own special version. I hope you didn’t eat it all yourself though – it looks huge, or are the pictures deceptive
goodshoedays last blog post..Smokin’ tomatoes: an experiment
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
God, your pan bagnat (I thought it was bagna?) looks wonderful! My version is with tuna and tastes great but looks like a bloody mess.
Haven’t tried it in a round loaf like this either. Shall do so soon!
Wendys last blog post..Banana and Oatmeal Muffins
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
goodshoeday – unfortunately I had to share it with the man. We ate it over the course of a day though.
Wendy – yeah I just googled again and found loads of results for ‘bagna’ and ‘bagnat’ – so even more confusing then…
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I need to find me a picnic to bring that sandwich to, it looks amazing. Thanks for the inspiration!
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:10 pm
pan is provençal for bread, so…voilà! I think it’s called pain bagnat in the rest of France, but pan is the original (and best)
monks last blog post..Out of action
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 pm
which store was it that you bought your tomatoes from?
gen.u.ine.nesss last blog post..One-O-One – Review
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Mmmm tasty tasty! Almost looks like a bread gateau
Ys last blog post..Pineapple and chamomile
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I haven’t had one of these in years…now I feel like making one! Looks really appetising Helen!
April 24th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Monk – Thank you! The mystery is solved!
Kian – It was a stall on that road in Borough Market where you have all the flowers. So Neal’s Yard Dairy would be on your left and the tomato man on your right.
April 24th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Blimey, that’s one heck of a sandwich!! I love it!
Marks last blog post..If you had to…
April 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Wow. What a sandwich. This really is a monster. What was it about March that hindered us so much?
3 things.
1. What did you do with the innards?
2. Let’s do this on the Food Bloggers’ CG Stall
3. Let’s do something cool for National Sandwich Week
Excellent stuff.
Jonathans last blog post..Breathable Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic, courtesy of Bompas & Parr
April 24th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Whatever the correct termonology, I LOVE these types of sandwiches!
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queens last blog post..Finest Foodies Friday – April 24, 2008
April 24th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
ahhhhh.. I know that shop. It’s next to farmers sharp am i right? Never been happy with his produce every time I buy from him.
gen.u.ine.nesss last blog post..One-O-One – Review
April 25th, 2009 at 10:42 am
This looks soooooo good. What a brilliant idea. I love sandwiches but they can be dull, no risk of boredom with the pan bagnat!
Boos last blog post..Covent Garden Real Food Market
April 25th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
That is one really nice looking vegetable sandwich!
Kevins last blog post..Sweet Potato and Peanut Soup
April 26th, 2009 at 9:34 am
wow, looks really tasty and simple too! thanks for the lesson in making an easy yet delicious sandwich.
The Winesleuths last blog post..Video winetasting – Wakefield Chard from Oz
April 26th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
It looks amazing! I have seen this before but never tried it, I really must, although, hold the anchovies for me!
April 30th, 2009 at 4:34 am
That looks delicious. I have never seen a sandwich prepared in such a way, by filling up a hollowed out loaf of bread. Hmmm.
Christines last blog post..Adventures In Norman
May 19th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Hi Helen,
The Sandwichist post is now live on Londonist.
http://tinyurl.com/p9gwbb
Super.
Jonathan
Jonathans last blog post..Pizza Oven (Cassius) Progress
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Mmmm, that’s a good-looking sandwich! I do much the same for summer picnics but with plenty of pesto and salami.