This pressed sandwich—a specialty of Nice, France—is filled with many of the components of the classic Niçoise salad (tuna, olives, and hard-cooked eggs). Weighting the sandwich allows the bread to soak up their flavors as it compresses.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4

　　1 rustic round bread loaf (about 8 inches wide)

　　3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

　　2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

　　1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

　　Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

　　2 cans (6 ounces each) oil-packed tuna, drained

　　1/4 English cucumber, thinly sliced

　　1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

　　3 tablespoons store-bought tapenade

　　1 cup packed fresh basil leaves

　　2 large hard-cooked eggs (see below), sliced

　　

Step 1

Split bread in half horizontally. Tear out and discard most of soft interior from each half. In a bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and mustard; season with salt and pepper. Transfer 2 tablespoons dressing to another bowl; toss with tuna. Toss cucumber and onion with remaining dressing.

　　

Step 2

Spread tapenade on bottom half of bread. Arrange basil, then eggs, on top; season with salt and pepper. Layer with tuna, then cucumber mixture; replace top bread half.

　　

Step 3

Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic and place on a baking sheet; place another baking sheet on top. Weight with a heavy skillet or canned goods. Let stand at least 1 hour at room temperature (or refrigerate up to overnight). To serve, cut into wedges.

　　

Foolproof Hard-Cooked Eggs

Step 4

Place eggs in a saucepan, and add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring water to a simmer; remove from heat. Cover, and let stand 12 minutes. Drain and rinse eggs under cold running water. Unpeeled eggs can be refrigerated up to 1 week.

　　Everyday Food: Fresh Flavor Fast by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Copyright © 2010 by Martha Stewart Living Magazine. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Martha Stewart Living magazine was first published in 1990. Over the years, more than two dozen books have been published by the magazine’s editors.Martha Stewart is the author of dozens of best-selling books on cooking, entertaining, gardening, weddings, and decorating. She is the host of The Martha Stewart Show, the successful daily syndicated television show.