The entire extended family convened for what seemed like a never-ending French summer.
Each lunch time we would squeeze around this massive wooden table with bench seats and make ourselves sandwiches with fresh baguettes from the village boulangerie.
We would have huge wheels of camembert and slices of ham and vine tomatoes, and cram them all into chunks of fresh baguette.
For the first time in my life I am hanging out in Dunedin after all the students go home. I am experiencing a proper Dunedin summer.
With this beautiful weather comes the opportunity for al fresco dining.
Picnics are my favourite. You will quite often find a handsome young gentleman and me hanging out on the grass beside First Church.
On Sunday we took a picnic lunch beside the golf course with a brilliant orange blanket I found at the op shop for $2.
Reliving my childhood, I packed the ingredients required for my favourite French sandwiches.
So while this isn't really a dinner option, I hope it inspires you to pack up and take your food outside and make the most of all these Dunners stunners.
Sophie's French summer sandwiches
Serves 4-5
1 freshly baked baguette
400g ham (thin-shaved or thick from the bone)
2 tomatoes, sliced
half a red onion, thinly sliced
200g camembert (because we are greedy cheese gluttons), sliced
4 Tbsp cream cheese
salt and pepper
lettuce (if you are feeling guilty about all the cheese)
Slice the baguette into four or five sections and cut each piece almost in half (so you get a bread hinge on one side).
Spread each side with cream cheese then layer on the ham, camembert, red onion and tomato. Season with salt and pepper then dive in!
Best enjoyed in the sun with excellent company.
