Gigi’s Monte Carlo Sammie
Before I get started let me just say that this is one AMAZING sandwich. It’s right up there with my love for my strawberry nutella panino & that’s saying a lot.
Hubs & I were eating at Gigi’s one day & I was looking over all of his open face sammies for lunch & saw the Monte Carlo (spotlight coming down & music playing now) and after I read through all of the ingredients I knew I had to try it.
This sandwich really is tre magnifique! This is a flavor combination that I would have not imagined putting together myself but it works & works insanely well! I can’t properly describe in words how good this sandwich is.
In case you’re wondering, in order to get the zucchini & fennel super thin I used my Mandolin. There would have been no way for me to cut that by hand that way. Also, in the picture above I used sunflower seeds instead of walnuts (hey, I didn’t have any in the pantry that day.) I’m a firm believer in using what you have on hand!
I really do want to thank Stephan for letting me share his creation here with you. Merci’ beaucoup Stephan!
If you’re ever in the area I really hope you’ll stop by Gigi’s Bistro. It’s a must. You might even see me in there LOL! If you stop by, be sure to tell Stephan, “Bonjour” & that Paula sent you!
Bon Appetit!
(Please pardon my French -sorry couldn’t resist- if I spelled anything incorrectly, I do only speak English & Italian after all. Mwah!)
What you’ll need:
Focaccia Bread
1/2 lb of thinly sliced deli Ham
1 fennel bulb - cored & sliced thin
1 zucchini - sliced thin
1 small package of chopped walnuts
1 bunch of fresh mint
1 lemon juice
1-2 avocados
s/p
extra virgin olive oil
What to do:
Toast your Focaccia bread slightly and cut it on the diagonal. In a bowl, smoosh your avocado with a fork & add a squeeze of lemon juice. Spread the avocado on the Focaccia bread. Add a few slices of ham. Add a slice of zucchini, a mint leaf & then some sliced fennel. Top with a sprinkling of walnuts. Drizzle olive oil on top & a little s/p!
Bon Appetit!
If you liked this post, I’d really appreciate some comment love, a little Stumble or Tumble? We’ve made it super easy for you *wink wink* The buttons are right below! Mwah!
So beautiful! Anything with avocado will call my name
gorgeous!
This looks like the healthier version of a monte carlo. I love it!!! Thanks for sharing.
mmm, those fresh flavors are great for a summer meal
Looks delicious Paula. I’m glad you recreated this at home (and shared it with us!). I gotta say, though, those Nutella & strawberry panini are hard to beat
You got right with the French! Only the ‘é’ was missing but you don’t have the keyboard for it
This sandwich looks great! My husband and I have declared Sunday evenings ‘the Home-made sandwich night’ but since then we didn’t have the time to make any… But promise, next time, it would be yours!
Looks and sounds great!
Beautiful! What a great combination of flavors.
Dang girl! Those zucchinis are cut so thin my hubby thought they were cukes!
Looks delish! Can’t wait to give it a go.
Looks really yummy! and light, not heavy like traditional Monte Cristo Sammy…also gorgeous photo presentation on the sammie!
Looks really yummy! and light, not heavy like traditional Monte Cristo Sammy…also gorgeous photo presentation on the sammie!
That looks like a refreshing sandwich!
This looks too good to be true! And if Paula says that this is right up there with her Strawberry Nutella Panino, I trust her. Maybe this will be lunch tomorrow!
Hi Paula,
this is a nice way of having sandwich. I also tried out an egg sandwich a couple of days back, you may wish to have a look at it (http://bengalicuisine.net/2009/07/20/boiled-egg-sandwich/), you can also sent it to the sandwich event hosted by Divya at http://divya-dilse.blogspot.com/2009/07/show-me-your-sandwich.html#comment-form
i like that
You’re French is fine, I often get lazy & don’t put in accented letter
Sandwich looks delish! Must say, never or saw one of these when I lived in France, but that won’t stop me from trying this!!
Beautiful website and great recipes. I’ll be back (for seconds)….