One of my favorite things to have in France is also one of the simplest: a crusty baguette with salted butter, ham and cheese.
No frills, just quality ingredients, each of which you can really taste individually.
I guess it also reminds me of the brown bag lunches my mom used to send me to school with- these triple-decker sandwiches filled to the brim with cheese, ham or turkey, and a bit of mustard.
The only difference being that now, as an adult, I like a lot of mustard.
This teasing mild late summer weather will be gone before we know it, so enjoy the sun, a sandwich, and a picnic, even if it just means taking your lunch outside.
Ham and cheese sandwiches
You’ll need:
- French baguette or another crusty white bread
- Gruyere cheese
- Bayonne ham
- wholegrain mustard
- salted butter (Vermont Creamery makes a wonderful variety in the US)
1. Even a simple thing like a sandwich can be improved upon.
Use a crusty bread that gives you a nice bite and a good base for your sandwich.
2. Cut lengthwise and top with butter. Slice the cheese and ham as thinly as you can (or get that done at the cheese and meat counters).
3. Layer cheese, mustard and ham between slices of buttered bread.
Tuck in!
Oh yes, a nice jambon-beurre is the best pic nic food ever! And if the weather is rainy or cold, I have my pic nic at home, at the kitchen table. If you have really good ingredients it is a true pleasure. I like adding my own fermented cornichons to this sandwich, just because I am a real snob. 🙂
That’s the kind of snobbery I can really get behind 😉 thanks, Darya!
You’ve used the best of each ingredient.. I’d love one of these right now! xx
Thank you, Barb! I was eating one as I was typing this up:) xx
Those look perfect for today, alongside a bowl of hot soup, that is. It’s Raincouver season here, again. I do have to admit that it’s hard for me to keep from attacking a loaf of good French bread before I can use it for sandwiches…
Oh, I agree, Teresa. If I am coming home from the boulangerie, more than just the ends of the baguette are usually missing by the time I make it back!
What lovely fresh ingredients, definitely would have made your summer better 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you, Uru!
I love this post, it’s so true that the most simplest of recipes and great quality ingredients make the most delicious meals!
Thanks so much and welcome, Emily!
Simplicity and deliciousness, always go together in my book. I too love a lot of mustard and I especially love the way you have more than one delicious layer in each of ham & cheese.
“Tres manifique” indeed! 😉
I know we are on the same page on this, Alice! 🙂 ps. How do your family’s trip to France go?
Yes! I did exactly the same when I was in France… I’m also keeping the tradition going in England and Scotland, just switching the baguette for good brown bread, thick-sliced ham, English cheddar, salted goats butter (I am OBSESSED, it’s wonderful) and lots of seeded mustard! Such a great combination. Your photos here are so beautiful… I have a lot of catching up to do on your blog (hope that you’ve had an amazing Summer Ksenia!) xxx
Salted goats milk butter sounds divine! I am also partial to a good cheese&chutney sandwich on a chilly UK day 🙂
The baguette just makes it! I also think that the way you’ve wrapped the sandwich makes it all the more appealing. This is the best in ordinary ingredients presented in such a way as to make them seem very special. I do love a good sandwich, Ksenia. So often the fallback is mayo…I LOVE the butter! I rarely remember to do that, but I won’t forget this time. 🙂
Thanks so much, Debra! So glad you enjoyed this one. And yes, butter – what can I say 🙂