I first met my good friend Terri while I was working on my first cookbook, A Gift of Cookies: Recipes to Share with Family and Friends. When I needed someone to edit the recipes, my art director, Maureen Barron, introduced me to Terri. Even though Terri and I live over 1,000 miles apart, we have cultivated a wonderful friendship working on the cookbook and my blog together. What can I say? I just love the woman!

In addition to being a dear friend, Terri is a seriously talented chef. As soon as you taste this (or any of her cooking, for that matter), you’ll see exactly what I mean. She had her own restaurant, The Inn at Kristofer's (on the picturesque Door County peninsula), for 23 years. It was actually one of the first fine-dining restaurants in northern Wisconsin! She even had a cooking school at the restaurant, which brings me back to her recipes.

Terri, we all thank you for sharing this smoked turkey and provolone pan bagnat recipe with us! You guys, it is so good. This is Terri’s own take on this classic French sandwich. But before I tell you why hers is so special, let’s go over the basics.

Pronounced something like pahn bahn-yah, this perfect picnic sandwich originated in Nice, France, where it was first made as a French tuna sandwich. The classic preparation for a pan bagnat sandwich is to stuff a crusty loaf of bread with the same ingredients found in a Niçoise salad: tuna, Niçoise olives, red pepper, capers, arugula or watercress, and lots of herbs, topped off with a classic French vinaigrette. Sometimes people like to include other ingredients like more fresh veggies, hard-boiled eggs, and anchovies. Want to learn more? Check out my Classic French Niçoise Salad recipe with Tonnino Tuna!

The best thing about a good pan bagnat sandwich is that it’s hearty and portable—that’s why I said it’s the best sandwich recipe for picnics. Terri’s version is super creative, but it sure stays true to those delicious qualities! Instead of using tuna fish, Terri’s unique pan bagnat recipe substitutes provolone cheese and thinly sliced smoked turkey. For the rest of the filling, she whips up a chickpea spread with capers, artichoke hearts, red peppers, Kalamata olives, and fresh basil. Combine it all in a food processor, and you’re ready to put your sandwich together.

This is one of those sandwiches that gets better with age. Make it at least 4 hours ahead and keep it tucked in the fridge to let those flavors meld together. You can make it up to one day in advance if you like. When you’re ready to enjoy your sandwich, pack it up in your picnic basket, warm it up in the oven, or stick it on your outdoor grill for a few minutes. Or just eat it! Hot or cold, this is one delicious summer sandwich.