She Strengthens

The Ultimate Picnic Sandwich Hack

A soggy sandwich can quickly turn a lovely picnic into a disappointment. But fear not, dear outdoor diners! With a few simple tricks, you can create a French-inspired grab-n-go sandwich that will remain crispy and delicious throughout your al fresco adventure.

Reviving Day-Old Bread

Before we dive into the sandwich-making process, let’s talk about reviving day-old bread. A stale baguette can be transformed into a crispy, fresh loaf by placing it directly on the middle rack of a 350°F oven. Bake for about 4 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy on the outside.

The Perfect Combination

Now, let’s assemble our masterpiece. You’ll need:

• 1 (24-inch) sweet baguette
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fig jam
• 4 ounces thinly sliced baked ham
• 3 ounces Camembert cheese, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 cup loosely packed baby arugula

Assembling the Sandwich

Slice the baguette in half lengthwise, cutting about three-quarters of the way through. Evenly coat the cut sides with olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Next, spread the fig jam over the olive oil on both sides.

Adding the Filling

Layer the ham, Camembert, and arugula on the bottom half of the baguette. Fold over the top half and press gently to close. If serving immediately, cut the sandwich crosswise into the desired number of pieces.

Packaging for Perfection

If you’re not serving immediately, cut the sandwich in half crosswise and place the two pieces side by side on a large piece of parchment or waxed paper. Fold to secure, and tape if necessary. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying a crispy, flavorful sandwich at your next picnic. No more soggy sandwiches!