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Pan Bagnat with Fennel

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Pan Bagnat with FennelPhoto by Kyle Johnson

This sandwich gets better and better the longer it sits (okay, to a point); assemble it after breakfast and eat it when you've worked up an appetite.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

Fennel and olives:

1/2 fennel bulb, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup mixed pitted olives, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped drained capers
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper

Assembly:

1 Persian or 1/4 English hothouse cucumber, thinly sliced
2 (6-7-ounce) cans olive oil–packed tuna, drained
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1 12"-long ciabatta loaf, halved lengthwise
3 hard-boiled large eggs, peeled, sliced
2 cups arugula

Preparation

  1. Fennel and olives:

    Step 1

    Toss fennel, olives, oil, vinegar, capers, and red pepper flakes in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag; season with salt and pepper.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 2

    Fennel-olive mixture can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

  3. Assembly:

    Step 3

    Toss fennel-olive mixture with cucumber and tuna in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Let sit, tossing occasionally, 10 minutes.

    Step 4

    Scoop out inside from top half of bread; discard (or save for a snack!). Layer bottom half of bread with tuna mixture, then top with eggs and arugula. Close up sandwich.

    Step 5

    Place a large heavy skillet or pot on top of sandwich to weigh down and let sit at room temperature, turning once, until evenly pressed, about 2 hours (if making sandwich at home, or storing in a cooler while you hike, wrap it up tightly in plastic wrap before you press it).

    Step 6

    Slice pan bagnat into wedges just before serving.

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