Happy Monday all 🙂 I thought today I’d post a simple little recipe and share a little bit more about what I’ve been up to recently.
First, let me tell you a little bit about the food (since it is ostensibly why you are here).
This Ham and Brie Baguette is a throwback to my time with Dave in Paris as part of our honeymoon. While Paris is known for its fancy cuisine and decadent pastries, I also found the day-to-day “fast food” affair equally impressive. Because, really, what could be more decadent than both butter AND cheese on a sandwich, besides the addition of perfectly fresh bread and a little bit of salty ham??
The difference between sandwiches in Europe in general vs. America is that they use excellent quality breads and minimal meat. There are occasionally spreads and vegetables, but it’s not slathered on and piled high like we are used to here in the states. Typically a cheese, like brie, or butter, is enough to qualify as a “spread.”
![[envira-gallery id=”3198″]](https://thegourmetgourmand.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/HBS2.jpg){kind=link}
So, in June as I was remembering our anniversary and our amazing honeymoon I was inspired to put together this recipe. My recommendation? Use the best quality ingredients you can if you’re going to make this. There are so few ingredients that if you cut corners you are definitely going to notice.
Moving on past French sandwiches, I wanted to share a little personal update with you all. In addition to the blog and my full-time job I have also been trying to get my painting back up to speed. You can see from this post that I was starting to get back into painting during my work-hiatus back in February. However, things now are getting into full swing and I’ve been averaging a new painting every 1-2 weeks.
And I have a group show coming up! I don’t have the exact date set yet for the opening, but I’m going to go hang the work tonight at the venue! The VENUE guys!!
This milestone is huge for me. Because as an adult, I have yet to actually show my work.
And on that note.. let me tell you the saga… Back in high school I was very serious about art and I took multiple art classes in school and extracurricular-ly. During the summer between my junior and senior years I did an intensive program in Baltimore at Maryland Institute College of Art where I studied figure drawing/painting. It was incredibly immersive and I was doing daily 6 hour studio sessions with live models and generating tons and tons of art.
Fast forward to my senior year. I did the portfolio review thing and submitted my work and transcripts to all the big name art schools. I got in everywhere I applied- The Art Institute of Chicago, University of Michigan, MICA, RISD, etc. I was planning to go to MICA on a small scholarship when everything came crashing to a halt.
Ever fickle, I decided at the last minute that I was scared of the financial insecurity that is allegedly the fate of every fine artist, and so last-minute decided to give up the art school dream and jump into a more practical profession.
So I went into nursing and tolerated it and eventually found a good job and a wonderful husband and all-in-all a really nice life. However, despite all that, you’d have found an incredibly creatively dissatisfied person, burdened with regret, and feeling the loss of a talent that wasn’t ever realized.
And then The Gourmet Gourmand was born. I definitely credit this blog for pushing me to access the artistic part of my brain again and helping me develop a structure for myself outside of work. It became a priority for me to work on my recipes and food photography and every weekend I was (am) setting time aside for the blog.
So I figured I could also make this happen with painting. I signed up for a class, and it was a slow and rusty start to get back into the swing of things. The class is 3 hours weekly, and I’m still attending routinely, but the most important part for me is the open studio session that is available on Saturdays. I can spend all day there if I want and paint in the open studio until my heart is content. It’s like being back in “art school” where I can really focus for an extended period of time, and really get back into the flow of creating.
So as you can probably tell, I’m so excited to “be back” making art. I’ll probably talk more about it here since it’s now becoming such a huge part of my life again.
Also, if you are curious, feel free to check out my work here. Compared to this blog the site is still in its infancy, but I’m sure I’ll be updating more as time goes on.
And now onto my real job that pays the bills… But wish me luck tonight as I set everything up!
Ham and Brie Baguette
Ingredients
- 1 fresh French baguette
- 1 wedge double cream brie
- 4 oz butter softened on the counter for a few hours
- 2 teaspoons each of minced chives parsley, and thyme (or, to taste)
- 1/4 lb of good quality deli ham
Instructions
- Slice the baguette in half and then divide as desired. I made 2 sandwiches, but you could probably make about 4 from 1 baguette, depending on the size.
- In a small bowl combine softened butter and herbs. Mix well to combine.
- Smear the herb butter on both sides of the baguette slices.
- Add sliced brie.
- Top with 1-2 slices of ham.
- Serve immediately.
First, this is just such a lovely sandwich. Wishing it was my lunch today! 🙂 Secondly, huge congratulations on your upcoming show and how wonderful that you are nurturing your creative side again!
Thanks Jennifer! I’m really excited! 🙂
I love this sandwich Sarah. So simple yet, so delicious! I would enjoy this one any day of the week! And congrats on your show! You are a very busy girl, but it seems like you are enjoying everything you’re involved in! Lots of luck! XO
Thanks Mary Ann! It’s definitely been quite hectic at home, but I have been loving it 🙂 Thanks for your support!
Yum! I wish I was eating that sandwich right now!!
And Yay! I am so happy to see my excited, creative, painter daughter re-emerge! Good luck with the show❤️! XOXO
I know!! I wish you were here and we could have a beach picnic with gourmet french sandwiches. Someday we’ll do that at your new cottage!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Wow, Sarah I’m so excited for you. I hope your show is amazing. Dave and I have the same lunches when in Europe. Fresh bread with meat, cheese and when in Italy, pesto ?
Thank you so much Tandy! I love love love the European sandwiches. Sounds like you’ve had some great ones 🙂
First, let’s start off with the most important topic. Big congratulations on the art show. That is quite an accomplishment and you should be proud of it. From my experience, one show is all it takes to catch the bug. . .so I’m sure we will see more shows in the near future. BTW. . .you sound a lot like me. No matter what I did. . .I never felt fulfilled by my Corporate job. There simply was not enough of a creative outlet. . .hence this blog was born.
Now on to this sandwich. . .one of my favorite parts of traveling around Europe (or European influenced countries) is the sandwiches. They are way better than U.S. sandwiches. I guess this is a true testament to my carb addict ways (which I try hard to contain with a lo carb diet. . .imagine). I think a picnic is definitely in order.
I hope you’re right! I actually set up the show last night (they rescheduled the art drop) and someone actually asked me to be their private painting teacher! I was like sure!! 🙂
You have an artistic gift. Your dishes are made all the more beautiful by your amazing photography skills. Keep up the good work! You are right about sandwiches in Europe…the bread is amazing and the meat and cheese never overpowers it.You’ll have to visit the nordic countries sometime. Their breads are very different than France or Italy, but also very tasty!
I can’t tell you how much your comment made my day Brad 🙂 Thanks for your compliments and support.. it means a lot. And we actually went to Norway too as part of our honeymoon and you’re right- the bread is great, but different. Haven’t really spent time in Sweden or Finland and I’d love to get further north even…
Well it sounds like you guys had a wonderful honeymoon back in the day (or last year… not really sure how long yall have been married. lol). Paris is a place I have always wanted to visit. Obviously they know ALL the things about how to make a stellar sandwich! Quality ingredients is totally where it’s at, especially when it comes to something so simple, like a sammie. Loving your throw back sando! Ham and brie?! Tres chic!! I’ll take 3. 😉 Cheers, girlfriend!
It was actually 2 years ago! We had such a great time- toured Paris, then up to Denmark, and over to Norway. (We definitely aren’t the relaxed type of travelers…)
… and I just checked out your artwork! HOLY COW girl!! You are TALENTED!!!! Your work is just beautiful! I’m honestly in awe! Keep on rockin at life, Sarah!
Thank you Cheyanne!!!
I have a very similar story, I went to Parsons in NYC planning to major in fine art but eventually went into communication design. I can’t complain since I have my own firm and it is doing great, but there are still times when I wonder what might have happened if I stuck with fine art! Love the simplicity of your recipe, so much more flavor in the high quality ingredients, so you use less and they last longer too!
Parsons is a great school! It’s always hard to know if you’re making the right decisions at that time of your life.. glad it worked out well for you though 🙂
OMG – this looks incredible, and so cute about your honeymoon. Ok, so a few months ago my hubby and I stopped in Paris on a European vacation. While the French may be known for their fancy cuisine, my hubby and I literally bought baguettes and ate them every day we were there lol. Now I’m off to go make add these ingredients to my grocery list 😉