The recipes in this very movable feast began with a craving for tuna. Not the mayo-slicked sandwiches of childhood lunchboxes, but something summery, tangy, vegetable-packed, and a little French. I thought of the sandwiches from Nice, France, called pan bagnat, that take the ingredients of classic Niçoise salad and layer them on crunchy country bread. So […]
By Amy Traverso
May 25 2022
The makings of a summer day to savor: Watermelon-Cucumber Cooler, Nectarine & Tomato Salad with Feta & Pistachios, French-Style Tuna Sandwiches, and Easy Blueberry-Pecan Crumble Bars.
Photo Credit : Photo by Linda Campos, Styling by Chantal Lambeth, Anchor Artists (food), Korey Seney (props)The recipes in this very movable feast began with a craving for tuna. Not the mayo-slicked sandwiches of childhood lunchboxes, but something summery, tangy, vegetable-packed, and a little French. I thought of the sandwiches from Nice, France, calledpan bagnat,that take the ingredients of classic Niçoise salad and layer them on crunchy country bread. So I piled tuna, tomato, green beans, olives, sliced egg, basil, and onions on ciabatta rolls with a drizzle of vinaigrette. They were fantastic.
This became the starting point for an easy summer menu that works perfectly as a beach picnic but can just as well be served on a front porch or patio. To wash it down: a quick blender drink that’s not just refreshing, but also cooling, made with watermelon, cucumber, and mint. Serve it with ice, a splash of seltzer, and a bit of vodka if you’d like. And with a nod to the tomatoes and stone fruits coming into season, I came up with a simple and flavorful salad with feta, pistachios, and basil (you can serve this on a platter or, on windy days, opt for jars).
The finale: very easy blueberry-pecan crumble bars. You make one dough and use it as both the crust and the crumble. It’s hard to eat just one. They’ll make you grateful for summer.
Food Editor Amy Traverso oversees the Yankee Magazine Food department and contributes to NewEngland.com. Amy's book, The Apple Lover's Cookbook (W.W. Norton), won an International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) cookbook award for the category American.
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