When my sister and mother first traveled to Europe after my sister graduated from high school, they came back talking about one of their favorite foods from the adventure, a butter and ham sandwich on a baguette, that they had eaten several times in France. Oddly enough, one of the best ones they ate, they say, was in a train station in Paris. Upon returning home, they bought baguettes, butter and ham and tried to recreate the simple sandwich for those of us left behind. Both agreed their American versions weren’t quite the same.

Since then, I have had the opportunity to go to France a couple of times. And I’ve had the opportunity to eat the ham, butter and brie sandwiches. It’s the brie that makes all the difference. The sandwiches are delectable and very easy to make. Brie and ham sandwiches are one of those things I make several days in a row enjoying them more with each successive bite.

When I lived in Seattle, my sister and I would make the sandwiches (or buy them at Central Market), grab some pop and head to the shore for a picnic. We’d watch people fish crab pots out of the water from the piers near Golden Gardens Park, head to Carkeek Park and stare across the Sound to the Olympics or go up to Edmonds and watch the ferries run their routes.

Now, when I make them, my memories aren’t of Paris or some exotic locale, but of warmer days in Seattle when the weather had brightened just enough to make a quick picnic near the shore one of the most enjoyable experiences possible.

It’s really important to get the right ingredients for these. European-style butter is preferable over regular; a thin baguette works better than thick French bread; cooked, not smoked, ham is best; and imported brie, soft but not runny, is imperative. These ingredients are easy to find in any grocery store.

Recipe

Ham and brie sandwiches

One loaf of thin baguette bread

2/3 Pound thin-sliced, cooked deli ham

French brie cheese

European-style butter

Slice bread lenghthwise. Butter one side generously. Place ham slices on top of butter. Spread brie cheese generously on top half of bread and place on top of ham. Cut into four portions.

Serves: 4