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Jambon Beurre
This classic French sandwich is a testament to the beauty of French cuisine. It's simple and delicious. Jambon beurre is a three-ingredient sandwich that you'll find at most boulangeries (French bakeries). But don't be fooled by its simplicity; the key to a perfect jambon beurre is in the quality of the ingredients. You want a fresh, crispy baguette, a good quality ham, and the best butter you can find. It's incredible how the simplest things often turn out to be the best.
Prep Time
10 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 336 kcal
Course:
Lunch
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 4 extra crusty French mini baguettes see note 1)
- 8 tablespoons European-style salted butter (see note 2&3)
- 12 oz Jambon de Paris (see note 4)
Instructions
- Cut each baguette in half lengthwise.4 extra crusty French mini baguettes
- Cut the butter into thin slices and lay it on both cut sides of the bread. Use a butter knife to spread it out lightly. (see note 3)8 tablespoons European-style salted butter
- Divide the ham slices equally over the bottom half of each sandwich.12 oz / 340 g Jambon de Paris
- Place the top halves of the bread back on the sandwiches and serve. Or wrap it in parchment paper and plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 8 hours.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- I like to use individual-sized baguettes, but you can buy a longer one and cut it in half. You want a traditional French baguette for this recipe. It should be super crispy and crunchy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.
- European butter has a much higher fat content (and less water) than American butter. It is rich and creamy with a beautiful deep yellow color and smooth, creamy texture. The best is Isigny Sainte-Mere Beurre D'Isigny AOP, which you can find in more specialist grocery stores. For a regular butter that you can find in most grocery stores, go for Kerrygold or Presidents. Pick a salted butter, or sprinkle a few salt crystals over the butter if you have unsalted butter.
- Make sure the butter isn't fridge-cold. You want to remove it from the refrigerator for 10 minutes so it is firm with a bit of spreadability. It should be placed on the sandwiches in thin slices and spread it slightly so all the bread is covered. You want a thick layer of butter, not a light smear.
- If you can find Jambon de Paris, go for that; it is the most authentic. It is a beautiful, unsmoked, wet-cured ham with a lovely, juicy texture. If you can't find that, buy the best-quality, thickly sliced, unsmoked ham you can. Italian Parma Cotto is a good alternative as it is prepared in the same way as French ham.
Nutrition Information
Calories
336kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
60g
(20%)
Protein
31g
(62%)
Fat
52g
(80%)
Saturated Fat
28g
(140%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
4g
Monounsaturated Fat
16g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
144mg
(48%)
Sodium
456mg
(19%)
Potassium
408mg
(12%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
1065IU
(21%)
Calcium
147mg
(15%)
Iron
5mg
(28%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 336
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 336kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 60g | 20% |
| Protein | 31g | 62% |
| Fat | 52g | 80% |
| Saturated Fat | 28g | 140% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 144mg | 48% |
| Sodium | 456mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 408mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1065IU | 21% |
| Calcium | 147mg | 15% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.