Description
Savor rich, mouthwatering ham and mozzarella-stuffed baguette treats that promise pure culinary delight. Crisp exterior and gooey cheese interior make this classic French-inspired sandwich a perfect quick lunch for hungry souls.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Bread and Protein):
- 1 large baguette (about 12 inches / 30.48 centimeters)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) deli ham, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) fresh basil or parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven to 375°F, preparing a workspace for transforming the classic baguette into a savory treasure.
- Carefully slice the bread lengthwise, using a sharp knife to create a delicate bread boat without puncturing the exterior crust.
- Gently excavate the bread’s interior, creating a hollow channel that will cradle the upcoming flavor-rich ingredients.
- Delicately paint the bread’s interior cavities with a whisper of tangy Dijon mustard, establishing a flavor foundation.
- Layer thin slices of ham across the mustard-kissed surface, ensuring complete coverage of the bread’s inner landscape.
- Strategically arrange mozzarella cheese atop the ham, creating a mosaic of melting potential that will transform during baking.
- Tenderly brush the exterior baguette surface with liquid butter, then sprinkle a nuanced blend of salt and freshly cracked pepper.
- Transfer the prepared baguette to a baking sheet, sliding it into the preheated oven’s warm embrace.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for the cheese to become luxuriously molten and the bread’s exterior to achieve a golden, crisp texture.
- Extract from the oven and allow a brief moment of cooling to let flavors settle and cheese stabilize.
- Slice into individual portions, optionally garnishing with fresh basil or parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Serve immediately while the cheese remains gloriously gooey and the bread maintains its perfect crunch.
Notes
- Choose a crusty, fresh baguette with a firm exterior to ensure the best texture and prevent sogginess during baking.
- Cut bread carefully to maintain structural integrity, leaving bottom and sides intact for a secure cheese and ham pocket.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like Gruyère or provolone for unique flavor profiles while maintaining excellent melting properties.
- Consider gluten-free baguettes and dairy-free cheese alternatives to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg