Happy Bastille Day {and a French Sandwich}

Happy Bastille DAY!



I thought we might enjoy a tiny history lesson...

Bastille Day is a National holiday in France. It is very much like Independence Day in the United States because it is a celebration of the beginning of a new form of government.



At one time in France, kings and queens ruled. Many people were very angry with the decisions made by the kings and queens.



The Bastille was a prison in France that the kings and queens often used to lock up the people that did not agree with their decisions. To many, it was a symbol of all the bad things done by the kings and queens. So, on July 14, 1789, a large number of French citizens gathered together and stormed the Bastille.



Just as the people in the United States celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence as the beginning of the American Revolution, so the people in France celebrate the storming of the Bastille as the beginning of the French Revolution. Both Revolutions brought great changes. Kings and queens no longer rule. The people rule themselves and make their own decisions. {info from Wikipedia}

So, in honor of Bastille Day, I hope you will enjoy something FRENCH...even if it means French Fries from the GOLDEN ARCHES drive-thru!


Herbs De Provence Focaccia Sandwich {with Roasted Veggies}

¼ of an eggplant

Sea salt

Olive oil

Unsalted butter

1 9 inch round loaf of focaccia {store bought or homemade}

*If you are using storebought, after sandwich is assembled, brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle with Herbes de Provence

¼ cup Best Food Mayonnaise

1 clove of garlic

¼ cup basil pesto {Trader Joe's}

4 slices of Provolone cheese

¼ cup of roasted red peppers {Trader Joe's}

¼ lb. deli garlic turkey


*If making your own focaccia bread, bake two batches and use one half for the top of your sandwich and the other half for the bottom.

*Store bought focaccia may be sliced in half horizontally.

*Slice eggplant into half horizontally. Cut into half. Make ½ inch half moon slices and salt them. Let salt absorb into the eggplant for about 30 minutes. This will give added flavor and draw extra water out.

*Cook in a bit of unsalted butter and olive oil. Make sure to use a good pan so they don’t stick. They will brown. Set aside.

*Make your garlic mayonnaise by adding 1 minced clove of garlic to the mayonnaise. Set aside in your fridge until you are ready to assemble your sandwich.

*Spread bottom half with garlic mayonnaise.

*Spread top half with pesto{I use Trader Joe's Genova pesto}

*Add deli turkey on top of mayonnaise and place slices of Provolone cheese to top.

*Add cut up slices of roasted red pepper to top of pesto and place roasted eggplant on top of that.{I use Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Yellow and Red Peppers}

*Place top and bottom together and wrap sandwich with tin foil. Bake at 350* for about 10 minutes until warmed through and cheese starts to melt.

*Slice into wedges! Serve and enjoy!

Have a very Happy Thursday!