Thursday, September 25, 2014

Smoked Salmon Sandwich on a French Baguette


On an Air France flight from Paris to Marseilles several years ago we were served a smoked salmon sandwich on a French baguette for lunch. It was a very simple looking sandwich that the flight attendant passed out to passengers that day, but after one bite I had to know what made that simple sandwich so tasty and flavorful.

I knew France was known for their baguettes and deservedly so. The French absolutely do make the best baguettes in the world and the one on this sandwich certainly lived up to the reputation. But there was something else that set that sandwich apart from the sandwiches I make at home. What could it be?

So I opened my sandwich to have a peek inside to see what the mystery ingredient was that brought such incredible flavor to this seemly simple sandwich. Hmm, thinly sliced smoked salmon seasoned with a bit of cracked black pepper and a few greens sprinkled about? No, that’s not what I’m looking for.

Then I saw it – smooth creamy butter spread on both side of the baguette. I had an “ah ha” moment. Of course it’s the butter. European-style butters have much more flavor compared to American butter.




I should have guessed it was the European butter to begin with. In the Bahamas European butters were available in even in the smallest of mom and pop stores throughout the islands. In fact, because of the duty and stamp tax, imported American made butters were more expensive than their European cousins, so we began to buy the European ones. Their rich and creamy flavor almost reminded me of a really good cheese. We quickly became spoiled by the European butters and never looked back.

Enter Presidents European style butter. I was offered the opportunity to try their butter and they sent three butters – stick, whipped, and whipped with sea salt. I made several different compound butters with the stick butter recently, see post here.




For this sandwich, I used Presidents whipped butter with the sea salt and it is fabulous on this smoked salmon sandwich. President Butter is France’s #1 selling butter, where people consume more butter than anywhere else in the world. It is made cultured cream in the European tradition with no added oils. President Premium butter is available in many supermarkets in the US, including Publix stores. We found President Butter to be rich and creamy and highly recommend it. In fact Meakin made the comment "this is killer butter." That's high praise.

To assemble this sandwich, slice a crusty French baguette lengthwise, open it and spread some butter, preferably European butter, on both sides of the bread. Top the bottom half of the sandwich with a sprinkling of fresh arugula or spring mix, top with slices of smoked salmon. Season to taste with freshly ground black pepper and salt if you wish. Slice into individual servings and enjoy. This is a great sandwich for a picnic. To make it portable, wrap the bottom half (or the entire sandwich for that matter) with parchment paper and tie with a ribbon or a piece of raffia.

Bon Appétit.




For better viewing, click on photos to enlarge.

This will be shared with Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farm, Miz Helen’s Country Kitchen Full Plate Thursday, and Weekend Bites at Simple Recipes.    
Have a great week everyone.

Disclosure: We were given free samples of President's butter to try. The opinions here are ours. We did not receive compensation neither for this post nor for our opinion.

37 comments:

  1. Baguette and butter...simple. The French make it so easy. It looks like you have created a masterpiece. We have loved President butter since spending weeks at a time in Europe in rented apartments or homes.

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  2. I would like to be starting my day with that sandwich. We've used President's butter for quite sometime now. It is more readily available since we found it at Whole Foods a few years ago. And, we are quite fortunate to have La Fournette Bakery to provide us with those crusty baguettes.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. This sandwich must taste amazing! Great combo.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  4. Dear Sam, Yes; butter! My mom used to put butter on my sandwiches when I was little. I think butter on a sandwich is very European and very tasty. The sandwich looks wonderful. Blessings dear. Catherine

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  5. Smart to notice the butter:) I have tried that butter..il est bon:)
    Must admit I find our baguettes and butter very good here in QC also..But then again I ahve not had a Paris baguette. In France oui..mais pas Paris:)
    We landed in Marseilles too.I would love to explore next time!
    Love the map.

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  6. Okay, I have my radar on for this butter. I like Plugra, but if Président's is better I'm on it.

    Madonna
    MakeMineLemon

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  7. I must search for the butter! The sandwich sounds delightful...we love smoked salmon! I am always searching for the perfect baguette....

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  8. Hard to believe so simple could be so good. I've seen this butter in the store and we will give it a try.

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  9. That is one gorgeous loaf of bread Sam! Bet the sandwich was great:@)

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  10. I've used smoked salmon before in various ways, but never thought to use it as a sandwich with baguette bread... this looks so good. Will definitely have to try this soon! Thanks :)

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  11. We had salmon tonight--but we're trying to cook it at least 3 times a week, so I can't wait to try your sandwich.

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  12. The sandwich looks amazingly delicious, Sam.

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  13. Even the simplest sandwich in France tastes fantastic, including just ham. I never guessed what it was...Ha!.

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  14. That sounds amazing. We were pleasantly surprised to find really good baguette sandwiches in England -- and of course it was the butter that made the difference. I still dream of one that was my favorite -- brie, butter, and bacon -- the English bacon which is meatier than ours.

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  15. HI Sam, did not know that European butter was different from American, sounds so simple and delicious!

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  16. Great food styling, Sam! I often use Irish butters, but don't remember seeing President's brand. Will keep my eye out for it.

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  17. Wow. I'm drooling. Pinning to try. You're so right about Parisian baguettes. l love smoked salmon. I will look for the President Butter.

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  18. Sam, That smoked salmon sandwich on a baguette sounds really terrific! I haven't been able to find anywhere around here that sells President's butter products. It sounds great! We've been using an Amish butter that we purchase in a couple of local farmer's style markets and it's much better than most of the readily available commercial brands. We will have to try to duplicate your sandwich, one way or another! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  19. What a great sandwich on a gorgeous crunchy tasty baguette! My hubby always likes butter on his sandwiches and I do buy Presidents now and then. European butter is delicious and unique. Now to try salmon on a baguette! Have a great weekend!

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  20. The butter really steps this up a notch, Sam! I could easily do some cream cheese and capers on this too :)

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  21. It's funny how simple is often the best! You don't need a lot of fancy ingredients for a delicious sandwich, just good quality like you've used here. European butter would definitely take everything up a notch. Thanks for being the sleuth and figuring out what made that sandwich so good!

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  22. I love the baguette smeared with butter and other things but my favorite is the german Vollkornbread ( whole wheat bread ) smothered with butter and topped with radishes. If you ever stuck in the Frankfurt airport they have a restaurant that has it on their menu.

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  23. The Europeans have certainly cornered the market on butter, eggs and bread. Divine. Ever since I had Royal Tea at the Empress in Victoria B.C., I've been craving a smoked salmon sandwich. This looks even better!

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  24. We love smoked salmon and I've lice to have it in the sandwich - it looks so delicious!

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  25. Wow, so easy and sounds so delicious. Thanks Sam for a great idea.

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  26. this is one heck of a sandwich! I love smoked salmon. One of my favorite ways to cook it

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  27. This is such a great idea Sam...smoked salmon in sandwich, especially French bread...
    Enjoy your week :D

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  28. My husband would smile if he was served this sandwich while on a flight. Salmon and butter…he would think that was perfect.

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  29. Air France is my favorite airline primarily because of the food. Yes, I can see what makes this simple sandwich great is the quality ingredients. Pinned. Thanks for bringing this to Weekend Bites.

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  30. I often buy Kerry Gold Irish butter--also good! I also love smoked salmon, but I have to admit that since I grew up in NYC I like it severed like lox-- on a bagel with cream cheese..

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  31. Yum, crusty bread with creamy butter!! The salmon looks delicious. Cheers from another Carolina gal!
    Carole @ From My Carolina Home

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  32. All I get on airlines is a pack of peanuts ;)

    Great looking sandwich. I've never tried Presidents, I will have to look them up because I've not had European butter to my knowledge. Sounds like I would have known if I did.

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  33. This sandwich looks like heaven to me. :)

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  34. President's butter is the bomb!!! I love it! Your sandwich looks absolutely awesome. I will try it for sure. BTW... I absolutely love your blog.

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  35. I haven't tried this butter. We are partial to both Kerrygold (love, love) and some ridiculously expensive French butter that is worth the calories. I shall look for this.Maybe I don't have to mortgage my home to afford it!

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