Nicoise Tuna Sandwich: Pan Bagnat - Gourmet Magazine

1/4 white onion, thinly sliced
1/8 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons mild French extra-virgin olive oil , plus additional for drizzling
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, plus additional
1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional
Black pepper
2 (6-ounce) cans good quality tuna packed in olive oil, including olive oil
Lemon juice
2 Kaiser rolls, plain
Lettuce leaves, combination of Boston, green-leaf, or other green leafy lettuce
8 plum tomato slices
2 hard boiled eggs, sliced
4 anchovy fillets, drained
Nicoise olives
Chopped scallions
Sliced radishes

Combine the red and white onion with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper in a bowl.

Using your hands, mix and squeeze everything together for 5 minutes. (Don't rush through this part; the onions need time to release their juices and mellow.) Work in can of tuna in olive oil, including the oil. Season with fresh lemon juice, red-wine vinegar, and salt, then add pepper, to taste.

Cut Kaiser rolls in half crosswise and spread each bottom half with lettuce leaves. Use a couple of varieties (whatever looks good) for the difference in texture.

On top of each lettuce layer, arrange 4 tomato slices (skip this step if you don't have really tomatoes on hand). Then add about half the tuna mixture and 3 to 4 slices of hard-boiled egg.

Crisscross each sandwich with 2 drained anchovy fillets and strew with Nicoise olives (pit them if desired), chopped scallion greens, and sliced radishes. Then drizzle generously with more olive oil and top with the remaining Kaiser halves, pressing gently but firmly.

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy