Hands down, one of the best cooking shows on television is French Food at Home with Laura Calder, which airs on The Cooking Channel.  That’s not just a word of personal opinion, this outstandingly informative, witty, and visually stunning show is a James Beard award winner.  The wonderful host of the show, Laura Calder, is obviously passionate about everything French and does a remarkable job of showing us home cooks, that French food, with its infamous air of complex sauces and complicated techniques, really is doable at home.  French cuisine is all about quality ingredients, the perfect pairing of flavors, and the passion to feed your soul with good food.

On a recent episode, Laura was making what she referred to as ‘French truck stop food.’  The classics of French cooking that you either see in cafes and restaurants while traveling around France, or that you bring with you as you explore the country on your own terms.  The highlights of the show to me were the two variations of French sandwiches that she made.  Being French, these sandwiches both of course began with a toasted French baguette–crisp on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside.  The first sandwich is simply lightly buttered baguette with slices of dreamy Brie cheese.  Perfect with a side of thinly sliced radishes and a tart green apple.  The second, Dijon-coated baguette with slices of country pâté and some tender lettuce leaves.  I like to pair this one with caper berries, or even cornichons, as you would if you were serving pâté in the traditional manner.

 

Serving these sandwiches on a wooden cutting board, serving as a sandwich board if you will, is impressive and oh-so-chic.  A perfect, truly French lunch that can be enjoyed just about anywhere you please.

Tagged: Arugula, baguette, brie, butter, cheese, country pate, Dijon mustard, French, French Food at Home, Laura Calder, sandwiches, The Cooking Channel