My mouth is full.
And that is a very good thing, my friends. A very, very, very good thing.
This sandwich recipe was sent to me by a very sweet reader, Angela, and I knew I had to make it on the spot. And now it’s your turn. It could be the best sandwich I’ve ever had (not counting, of course, a certain gooey croque madame eaten in Paris back in 07) and I’m not kidding when I tell you after making it for lunch yesterday I made it again for dinner. I have a hunch I’ll repeat that cycle today. And why not? A girl can’t survive off bread alone! But French bread, brie cheese, black forest ham, sundried tomatoes and pecans? Well, yes. I could survive off that quite happily actually.
Please make this today.
Angela got this recipe from a little restaurant called Cafe Lutecia in Philadelphia. If you’re ever in Philly, you should totally hit this place up—I know I will! Anyway, apparently the cafe is owned by a sweet little Parisian couple and this sandwich is one of their best sellers.
I made a few changes—subbing black forest ham for salami and changing up the fresh herbs—and the result was fabulous. Who knew that putting pecans in a ham and cheese sandwich would be the best decision ever?
You want to know what also is great about this sandwich? It’s perfect girl food. Really, it is!
Adam is out of town for the weekend (I meet him in Texas on Tuesday!) and right after I dropped him off at the airport I headed straight to the grocery store to pick up the essentials, which turned out also to be the ingredients for this sandwich! There’s just something about a good baguette and creamy brie cheese that make you feel better when you’re on your own. Well, that and a bubble bath, a stack of magazines and a glass of wine, that is. A good book is always necessary, too.
So you should really do yourself a favor today…tonight…this weekend…and make this sandwich.
It’s a really good decision.
Gaullois Sandwich
makes one sandwich
Ingredients:
1 foot French baguette, split down the middle
2 pieces black forest ham
1 oz brie cheese, divided into chunks
2 T sun-dried tomatoes
romaine lettuce
1/2 lemon
1/4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 T pecan pieces
1 T fresh parsley
Directions:
Layer ham, brie cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on the open baguette. Broil for a couple minutes until cheese has melted.
Remove sandwich from oven and top with lettuce, pecans, parsley, squeeze of lemon and olive oil.
Enjoy!
Time:
5 minutes
{ 98 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been to Cafe Lutecia before!! My sister lives in center city Philly so I go there often to visit. The sandwich looks incredible!
That does look like one of the best sandwiches ever. The bread… the brie… mouth watering!
I love sandwiches with Brie & Ham! I believe you when you say “make this tonight”
I’m off to the grocery store
Oh wow, this looks just like the amazing sandwiches I ate in France but have never been able to recreate. I think I need to rush out to buy the ingredients immediately. I’ll take a stack of magazines, a bubble bath and a glass of wine on the side, too.
This looks amazing! My little vegetarian mind is very upset
Wow! My mom is coming to visit this weekend and I had planned on giving your turkey, feta, spinach burgers a go. But now, I’m quite conflicted.
There’s only one solution here… I think perhaps we’ll have to fit BOTH in this weekend.
Wow, pecans are great but I’ve never tried them in a sandwich!! This sounds delicious!
I live just outside Philly and will have to head to Cafe Lutecia immediately! But first, I need to make this sandwich. The picture with a bite in the sandwich, where I can see the melty gooey goodness of the cheese, sealed the deal!
Oh yum–wow!!
This looks wonderful!! Be save traveling, do you know what day you are wanting to do a reader meet up??
Not sure yet–Hopefully we can make it happen but it’s not 100%. I’ll keep you posted!
Ok sounds good
I knew you had something yummy up your sleeve!!
That looks amazing!! When I was in Paris, I ate at a lot of sandwich shops because I don’t speak a lick of French and that was an easy place to eat without much worry or concern for getting something you didn’t like. This is definitely girl food!
wow kind of amazing this place is three blocks from my apartment and I’ve never been. going today!
so jealous!
So simple but looks so delicious!
I live just outside of Philly and can’t believe I have never been to this place. Will be going immediately! But first, I need to make this sandwich. The melty gooey goodness of the cheese in the pic with the big ol’ sandwich bite sold me!
This is one of those sandwiches that I could totally geek out over! Okay. . . I WILL geek out over this sandwich. I am off to the store!
Trust me–this sandwich is worth geeking out over! Sandwich geeks unite!
This looks amazing — I love the idea of putting pecans in a sandwich!
my brother-in-law(a fine-cheese distributor here in WI) just dropped off some smoked Gouda…might have to try that with this combo!!! Wonder why I’ve never tried pecans in a sandwich before???
love,
cathy b.
smoked gouda would be delicious as well!
My mouth is watering… that sounds delightful!
I have been craving sun-dried tomatoes and this just may be the trick!
I am in serious need of more sandwich recipes in my life…this one’s on the list!
Divine! Aren’t those a few of everyone’s favorite things?!
That’s a serious sandwich. I would totally hoard it all for myself too!
Yup, brie and baguette, making the world go round! This looks outstanding. I’ve never heard of this combination or of the work “gaullois” but I like it. A lot.
Neither had I—until a few days ago. The sundried tomatoes really “make” the sandwich!
I love adding nuts to everything, but would have never thought of adding it to my sandwhich. I love ham sandwiches – I think this may change my life
it changed my life! So delicious.
I love everything about this sandwhich and can’t wait to try it!
Simple sandwiches are my favorite because the flavor of each and every ingredient stands out! Yum!
Sounds like heaven. And you mentioned Philly, a city I love! Have a happy weekend Jenna, thanks for sharing
I actually live a few blocks from this cafe, and I have never tried it. Besides making corned beef and cabbage, and Irish soda bread this weekend. I will be stopping here for lunch on Saturday. Thanks for giving Phila a shout out and come visit!
Omg! This look SO good. I think it’s looking good for my lunch today! Such a unique combo!
Cheese + bread and other goodies… I’m sold. Can’t wait to try this!
That looks DIVINE. I’ve never seen a combination like it!
I’m totally on board with anything that has brie on it!! YUM
Wait, are you sure you could live off of those things alone — without chocolate?! ; )
I live very close to Cafe Lutecia and can testify that (i) yes, the expat French couple that owns it is sweet and fun, (ii) this sandwich rules, though their bread is not quite as crusty as this one looks, and (iii) they also make the most delicious scones in the city, but they sell out very quickly.
omg that sandwich looks amazing!!!
I have yet to find a loaf of gluten-free bread that can compare. This recipe is highly motivating, though. I’m drooling. No fair.
YUM!! sounds amazing!!
Amber’s Notebook
Looks greatttttttttttttt!
This looks FABULOUS. I have a brie weakness. I could eat a whole wedge, (ok roll too) by myself.
Oh yum. French Bread and Brie are two of my favorites. I will enjoy wolfing this sandwich down.
Oh yes please! i have to make this!! ?
My heart stopped when I say the brie. Just last night I was thinking back on my time in Paris last year! I want to go back… now…
*saw
I’m reading the new Jodi Picoult too! Would love to hear what you think when you finish.
How did I live outside of Philly for a whole summer and miss this place?
Oh my! There’s a little French place across from my work that is only open for breakfast and lunch – the owners are so cute and speak in French to everyone! They have the most amazing sandwiches. My favourite being the warmed pears with brie and walnuts on a baguette…I think I need one ASAP!
the simplicity of the perfect sammy with the best ingredients always makes me happy. will have to try this one next:)
That seeded Semifreddie bread is delicious…used to get it often just baked when lived in San Francisco. What’s better than anything Frenchified–nothing!!
Yum! This sandwich/post made me want my boyfriend to go away for the weekend.
I don’t eat ham, so I’m going to try it with turkey. I bet it won’t be quite as good, but I’m excited about it!
Reading blogs before going to the store is dangerous ! lol… my list has grown a bunch !
Minus the first 4 ingredients, I have everything else in the pantry. Time to stock up!
I love the pecan addition.. and the bread looks so good
I would totally make this sandwich but with the addition of green apples! I love sliced green apple and brie!
Looks delicious! How do you pronounce the name??
I am SO with you on the “girl food” thing. When I am eating dinner solo, I have a brie version of grilled cheese (leeks + tomatoes, then broiled) I love to have. It just…works.
This sounds delicious! I’m actually kind of sorry I have a date tonight.
This sandwich sounds amazing!
Love the looks of the sandwich and love that you dropped him off, went to the grocery store, made this + a glass of wine + a book.
PERFECT way to spend your time!
Hello!!!
(bisous!!)
I’mz posting a little comment from France… Your recipe looks absolutely marvelous.
However, the name is probably “gaulois sandwich” (gaullois doesn’t mean anything) which means “sandwich from Gaul” (old name of France, by the way).
So, with that, i’ll go back to salivating on my keyboard
I have been reading your blog for about 2 years or longer and I must say out of all the food blogs I read I find yours to be the most entertaining. You have the perfect mix of food stories, personal stories, and funny stories. Great job – Shannon
This looks fabulous! I love a good gourmet sandwich. Fresh herbs make every dish that much better
.
Too pretty to eat! (OK, I’m kidding, I would eat that is just one bite)
My boyfriend won’t be going out of town until May…I think I want to make this sandwich before then. It looks too heavenly.
Hey Jenna, can you tell me what the original fresh herbs were? I might try the original, or I might try your version, or I might try both!
Thanks!!
Sometimes I think I can live off bread alone…that would be glorious!
Sometimes I am convinced that I could live of bread alone…that would be glorious.
looks as fun to eat as it is to say! pecans in a sandwich? brilliant!
Love it!!!! I am making it, thx for sharing! Beautiful pics!!! It’s almost too pretty to eat! lol
My husband has to go to a week long training seminar thing in the coming month and I’m adding this sandwich to my list of things to make. Yum! Thanks!
My mouth is full too, very tempting sandwitch… !
My mouth is full too, very tempting sandwich, cant wait to try… !
haha that is the PERFECT girl time – magazines, wine, girly sandwich, bubble bath. absolutely ideal.
Is Adam at SXSW?? ugh! wish I could go!
Dear God that looks delicious.
Ive just started following your blog, and Im glad I did! This looks AMAZING! I was looking for a fun way to get some carbs in this weekend to fuel for a long run, and a big piece of bread with brie, ham and other goodies is going to fit the bill quite nicely. THANK YOU for this post
That sandwich sounds and looks quite divine!
I am a big brie fan, so I am sure it would be a winner.
Wow this looks and sounds amazing! You are totally right – girl food all the way. Guess I will have to wait until my bf goes out of town next.
Hi Jenna,
Beautiful sandwich!
Beautiful photography!
Beautiuful blog!
Your blog is such a happy spot to visit. Wishing a happy weekend to you!
Blessings – Debbie
Yum! That looks so delicious right now!!! Unfortunately, I had my wisdom teeth out today and won’t be able to eat any of my favorites right now. I’m really torturing myself reading food blogs tonight LOL
Oh, and Jenna? A question – what camera and lenses did you use here?
OH MY…..you have won me over with the brie and the bread. Hello lover.
I’m happy to say I made these tonight for my husband and I and they were a definite winner! I love the way a broiled sandwich tastes and it has to be said that Brie and sundried tomatos are a match made in culinary heaven!
I love your recipes, Jenna!
I grew up in Philly, and my parents live there, but I’ve never heard of this place! Gasp, I’ll have to try it next time I visit the ‘rents
this looks awesome ! Cafe Luticia has been on my list to try for some time now! I have to get over there and try it out!
Ahh! All of my top favorite things in one sandwich? Sign me up!
what a nice combo. Who would not want this!
Holy crow! This is right up my alley! I am sad I can’t dig into this quite yet because I had my wisdom teeth pulled this week. Your blog is torture right now!
Saw this post and immediately decided I had to head to Cafe Lutecia TODAY (I go to school right near Philly…and obvs can’t make anything good in my tiny dorm room). Wish I could’ve had this but I gave up meat for Lent, so I went with the Romain sandwich…mushrooms, tomatoes, garlic and mozzarella all warm and delicious on perfectly toasted French bread. I have to say I will be back MANY more times!
Adding all of this to the grocery list. STAT! It looks heavenly.
mmmmm drop dead delicious…. you’re right, it’s an ingenious idea putting pecans in.
Heidi xo
This sandwich almost makes me sad to be a vegetarian. It looks THAT good! Congrats on the feature on PW!
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