Bastille Day recipes for a French-style picnic

One of the most memorable evenings in my life came on La Fete Nationale (known outside France as Bastille Day) in Paris, about six years ago. I was staying with a Hong Kong friend who had moved to France and, to introduce me to her friends, she organised an impromptu picnic on Le Pont des Arts, one of the pedestrian bridges over the Seine. It was a gorgeous evening, the mood was joyous and the food, although gathered from the charcuterie, patisserie, boulangerie and various other traiteurs (prepared food shops), was delicious. Bastille Day in Hong Kong isn't nearly as exciting but you can still celebrate liberte, fraternite and egalite on Thursday (or any other time) with a delicious picnic meal.

Pan bagnat

I usually dislike pre-made sandwiches because the bread becomes too soft, but trust the French to make a virtue out of sogginess. Pan bagnat needs to be made in advance, so the dressing and juices from the tuna, tomato and roasted pepper soak into the bread. The dressing recipe makes more than you'll need for two sandwiches, so put the leftovers in a jar and refrigerate - it will keep for about two weeks.

2 large eggs

1 large red bell pepper

2 baguettes, about 22cm long

1 medium-sized ripe tomato, thinly sliced