
It’s That Simple is our series about recipes so easy, you can make them with your eyes closed. Think tiny ingredient lists, laid-back techniques, and results so delicious you’ll text home about them.
Also known as le Parisien, a jambon-beurre sandwich is as simple as it gets. A fresh baguette, ruffles of salty ham, and a layer of butter so thick that, when you bite into it, teeth marks are left behind (sometimes also a swipe of Dijon mustard or scattering of sliced cornichons or both is added). This is an audacious vegetarian version—which is to say, entirely untraditional and a little unhinged. Instead of ham, there are jarred marinated artichokes (don’t toss the marinade). These have a meaty texture and inherent umami, which is only accented by a quick trip under the broiler. The rest of the sandwich stays true to the classic. It’s pantry-friendly and picnic-ready, as welcome for a chic desk lunch as it is for a day in the sun.
Discover more clever It's That Simple recipes here: Crispy Tuna Patties; Spiced Brown Butter Tomatoes; and 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse.
Recipe information
Total Time
10 minutes
Yield
1–2 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Heat broiler (place a rack in upper third if your broiler is in your oven). If your bread is soft, place one 10–12" demi baguette, halved lengthwise, cut side down, on a rimmed baking sheet and broil until lightly crisped (do not let it brown; if baguette is fresh from a bakery, no need to broil). Drain one 12-oz. jar marinated quartered artichoke hearts. Coarsely chop about half of artichokes and arrange all artichokes on a rimmed baking sheet (use the same one if you crisped the bread). Broil, checking often, until edges start to char, 5–10 minutes, depending on your broiler. Smear 4 Tbsp. salted European butter, thinly sliced, over top half of bread. Evenly arrange 10 cornichons, very thinly sliced lengthwise, and, if there are cocktail onions in the jar, about 6 cocktail onions, halved, over butter, gently pressing to adhere. Slather bottom half of bread with Dijon mustard, then top with broiled artichokes. Close up sandwich and cut in half.
