Pan Bagnat sandwich

I recently prepared some mini pan bagna sandwiches for a small reception (18-20 guests) in Upper East Side, New York. something elegant and easily eatable on finger. I used mini brioche buns bought at Grace's Market (also available at Eli's) in the near area. I added a toothpick with half an olive and a diamant shaped bit of anchovy. Nothing sophisticated but tiny pretty!

As I was browsing on the web for ideas on Pan Bagna, I discovered a huge number of ressources on that subject, from multiple recipes, history and even songs about it!

Here, you can learn (in French) that Pan is the name of a young shepperd boy for whom his mother prepared this special sandwich in the town of Nice in Provence (South East of France). Later, in the meadow, as he found the bread too dry, he drizzled some olive oil to soak the bread (bagnat, baigner in French). In fact, the mother had recycled some leftover of the famous Salade Nicoise since the ingredients are similar...

Here, one of the many recipes found on the net...

Also, enjoy this song from PAN BAGNA CONNECTION...