The Art of Tartines

Last month we had fun making recipes from Apollonia Poilâne's cookbook, "Poilâne: The Secrets of the World-Famous Bread Bakery" using the large sourdough loaf we ordered from Paris. French cuisine has a way of making one slow down and taste food. Flavor and texture combinations offer subtle variations to savor. Who knew that avocados and bananas compliment each other?

A tartine is simply an open faced sandwich. In France, tartines are usually served on toasted country bread with either sweet or savory toppings. There are numerous YouTube videos on making "Tartine Country Loaf" breads. These are dense loaves that hold up to a variety of ingredients. Tartines need to be thick enough that they don't droop as you hold them to eat.

Here are two recipes: Avocado Tartine with Banana and Lime and Tartine Pour Bon. These are variations on perennial favorites- Avocado Toast and Ham and Cheese. The recipes are included with thanks to Appolina.

Avocado Tartine with Banana and Lime  Makes 2 tartines

1" thick slice of dense sourdough bread
1 ripe avocado, halved, pitted, peeled with 4 thin slices reserved
Rest of avocado coarsely mashed
1 medium banana, sliced
1 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
crushed red pepper flakes
1-2 tablespoons honey

Toast the bread and then slicer it in half. Spread mashed avocado over the toasted sides of bread. Arrange banana and avocado slices on top. Sprinkle with lime zest, drizzle with lime juice, add a pinch of pepper flakes, drizzle with honey and serve. Watch Apollonia make this recipe.

 Tartine Pour Bon makes 2 tartines

1" thick slice of dense sourdough bread, slicered in half
2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
2 rounds of a soft, creamy cow's milk cheese, such as Brie
6 thin slices of cured ham, such as prosciutto
freshly ground black pepper

Preheat broiler to low. Spread bread with butter. Slice each round of cheese through the middle to get 2 rounds, then cut each round in half. Lay cheese across the slices of bread. Top with ham and sprinkle with pepper. Broil until ham is crisp, 2-3 minutes.

Come back often and tell your family and friends about us. Inspired by worldwide cuisine, we are expanding our inventory of recipes and want to share them with you along with fun ways your Nicer Slicer can help make great tasting food an easy, every day experience.