Pan Bagnat with Fennel

A classic Provençal sandwich featuring olive oil-packed tuna, fennel, olives, and hard-boiled eggs pressed between crusty ciabatta bread. This Mediterranean-style sandwich is perfect for picnics as the flavors develop while it's pressed.

4 servings
2 hr 27 min

Ingredients

  • ½ bulb fennel bulb
  • ½ cup mixed pitted olives
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • to taste Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 whole cucumber
  • 2 cans olive oil-packed tuna
  • to taste Kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 loaf ciabatta bread
  • 3 whole hard-boiled eggs
  • 2 cups arugula

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

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

    5 min

  2. 2.

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

  3. 3.

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

    10 min

  4. 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.

    10 min

  5. 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).

    120 min

  6. 6.

    Slice pan bagnat into wedges just before serving.

    2 min