Tuna Pan Bagnat

So you have a can of tuna…..you need lunch, or a light supper….. Tuna Pan Bagnat.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

Pan Bagnat (pan ban-Yah) wet or bathed bread, is a specialty of the Provence region of France. Traditionally a round wheat bread is stuffed with the classic Salad Nicoise ingredients…. tuna, anchovies, tomatoes, eggs, olives, red onions, capers, garlic and olive oil.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

Crusty bread, in this case my fav ciabatta, soaks up a yummy vinaigrette made from anchovies, garlic, dijon, balsamic, and olive oil. Use the best olive oil you can, especially when making a vinaigrette.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

For extra crunch, I tossed thinly sliced english cucumber slices into the vinaigrette and let them soak up the flavor while I prepared the rest of the sandwich.

Tuna Pan Bagnat is easy to make, portable, and can be made ahead. In fact, the longer it sets the better it gets. Perfect for a picnic, or make one on a french baguette, and you can have lunch for several days…..if it lasts that long.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

Admittedly, I am not a huge sandwich fan, Tim on the other hand is. I have no particular reason, but a sandwich is not always my first choice. Perhaps I have been swayed, this truly was delicious!

In keeping with tradition, I pressed the sandwich, meaning after I wrapped it,first in parchment paper, then tin foil, I placed two cast iron skillets on top and let it sit. Pressing makes sure all the flavors “bathe” the bread.

Tuna Pan Bagnat

We pressed our Tuna Pan Bagnat for just a few hours. I can only imagine how good it would be left over night. So, take a trip to the Provence Region of France with Tuna Pan Bagnet…..Bon Appetit!

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Tuna Pan Bagnat

  • Author: From the New York Times (original recipe here, I tweaked a few things)
  • Yield: 2 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 anchovy fillets, minced
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 ciabatta buns, halved (I toasted mine lightly)
  • 1/2 english cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1 medium-size, ripe tomato, sliced
  • 1/2 small red onion, sliced
  • 15 ounce can tuna packed in oil, undrained
  • 2 tablespoons kalamata olives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon caper, drained
  • 8 large basil leaves
  • 2 hard-cooked egg, peeled and thinly sliced

Instructions

  1. Whisk together the anchovies, garlic, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in oil, whisking constantly.
  2. Slice cucumber thinly then add to vinaigrette and toss well.
  3. In a small bowl gently mix the tuna, olives, and capers, trying not to break up the tuna too much.
  4. Spread half the cucumbers on bottom of bread. Top with tomato and onion slices, then with tuna mixture, basil, olives and egg slices. Top egg with remaining cucumbers. Cover with second bread half and firmly press sandwich together.
  5. Wrap sandwich tightly in foil, waxed paper or plastic wrap, then place in a plastic bag. Put sandwich under a weight such as a cast-iron frying pan. Weight sandwich for 7 to 10 minutes, then flip and weight it for another 7 to 10 minutes. Unwrap and serve immediately, or keep it wrapped for up to 8 hours before serving.

 

Tuna Salad Nicoise

Tuna Salad Nicoise

Tuna Salad Nicoise

What is Nicoise you say…………well, Nicoise is the French word for “in the style of Nice.” So, any dish that is labeled Nicoise would be in the cooking style of Nice, France, and we know my affliction with all things French.

Usually these recipes have black olives, tomatoes, anchovies, and garlic. Typically in America, Salade Nicoise includes the olives, tomatoes, anchovies and a vinaigrette along with beans, tuna and hard boiled eggs.

Well I took creative liberty with this one, no black olives, no anchovies…….yes tomatoes, yes tuna, yes hard boiled eggs, and yes asparagus………oh wait, thats not original to the recipe, but it sure is “in the style of Nice”.

We finally were able to eat our own homegrown asparagus this year. So, since I wanted to make a salad, I thought why not add it in……….it was a great choice.

Tuna Salad Nicoise 1

The salad itself reminds me of a meat and potatoes meal. You have meat, potatoes and vegetables……..whats not to like? Top it with a Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette and you have a feast fit for a King…….or Queen.

Tuna Salad Nicoise Collage

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Tuna Salad Nicoise

Tuna Salad Nicoise

  • Author: Marty Boyd
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Cook
  • Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 pound tuna fillet
  • Finely chopped fresh chives, tarragon and parsley to equal 1 tablespoon total
  • 2 teaspoons coconut oil ( or olive oil will work)
  • 2 small (about 3 ounces each) red potatoes
  • 8 stalk asparagus, trimmed
  • 1/2 of a 5 ounce container of mixed greens
  • 8 grape tomatoes, cut in half
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, cut into quarters
  • 1 green onion, finely sliced
  • 1 tablespoon capers
  • Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

Instructions

  1. Mix herbs with coconut oil and rub on tuna, season with salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium high heat, grill tuna turning once until the internal temperature is about 125*. You can adjust cooking to your desired doneness. Let rest then cut into slices.
  3. Cook potatoes in microwave until just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Place in an ice bath to stop the cooking process, then slice into quarters.
  4. Cook asparagus until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Place in an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
  5. Arrange lettuce leaves on each of 2 plates. Top each with sliced tun, then arrange half of potatoes, asparagus, tomatoes and hard-boiled eggs decoratively around tuna. Sprinkle half of green onions and capers over each salmon fillet. Serve, passing vinaigrette separately.

Keywords: tuna, potato, asparagus, mixed greens, salad

 

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Tuna Salad Nicoise

Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

  • Author: Marty Boyd

Ingredients

Scale
  • Juice of one fresh lemon
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • Finely chopped fresh chives, tarragon and parsley to equal 1 tablespoon total
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Combine first 4 ingredients in small bowl or small food processor. Gradually whisk/blend in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.