To celebrate Bastille Day, I took a stroll down memory lane. A French Street, to be precise.
The last time I was in France, a decade ago, my friend and I were on tight college budgets and scrimping wherever we could. So, instead of sampling all of Paris’s best foods, we opted for inexpensive foods … like baguette sandwiches that could be purchased from street vendors and bakeries all over the city. And guess what? They were amazing.
There is something about a great baguette made in Paris that’s simply breath-taking, with its crusty exterior and soft interior. Swoon.
Though I haven’t found a baguette that compares here in the U.S., I do like Pillsbury French Baguette loaves for making my own baguette sandwiches at home. They’re hot, crusty and have a soft interior – like the ones we ate on the streets of Paris at 20.
If you’re making these for a party, assemble a few varieties and cut them into eight pieces each so that everyone can sample several of them. Looking for inspiration? Try these two sandwiches that are big hits in my house:
And to make it a truly Parisian street experience, serve up some hot crepes for dessert. Preferably with chocolate hazelnut spread and bananas inside. YUM. If you want to learn more about how to make this French dessert part of an awesome party experience, check out this DIY Dessert Crepe Party post from Gabi M. (brokeassgourmet.com). Or if you’re looking for a cocktail to compliment your sandwich, Michelle P. from Jelly Shot Test Kitchen created an amazing “let them eat cake cocktail,” the Strawberry Shortcake Martini.
Sarah W. Caron (aka scaron) is a food writer, editor and blogger who writes about family-friendly foods and raising a healthy family at Sarah’s Cucina Bella.
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