Picnic Basket Baguettes Recipes

PICNIC BASKET BAGUETTES

Steps:

• For the cream cheese spread, stir together the cream cheese, lemon juice, mustard and garlic pepper.
• Split sourdough loaf or baguette horizontally and spread cut sides with the cream cheese spread.
• On bottom half of the loaf, layer turkey, Provolone or Swiss cheese, sweet peppers and spinach. Cover with top of loaf. Slice crosswise into 4 pieces. Wrap sandwiches in plastic wrap or waxed paper and chill until serving time, up to 6 hours.

THE FRENCH PICNIC BAGUETTE - PAN BAGNAT

Steps:

• Cut the baguette into even size portions.
• Then cut the baguette pieces or bread rolls in half lengthways, and scoop out some of the bread filling. (You use this for a gratin-type affair later in the week or for breadcrumbs).
• Rub the garlic over the inside of both halves, drizzle with a generous amount of olive oil and season well.
• In one hollowed-out half, pack in the egg slices, tuna, tomatoes, anchovies, olives, chopped red onion and lettuce leaves.
• Drizzle with more oil, and a little white-wine vinegar.
• Put the other half of the baguette or bread roll on top, wrap snugly in tinfoil and place on a flat surface. Lay some big books on top to weigh it down. (I use a Larousse Gastronomique!).
• Leave for an hour or two. Then remove the tinfoil and wrap a band of greaseproof or brown paper around the middle of each portion, and tie tightly with kitchen string.
• These can then be stored overnight in a covered container until next day. (This is not necessary - but can be handy to avoid all the fuss next day!).
• Take them on your picnic with wine, fruit and good company!
• Sublime!