Crocus de Nîmes

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Crocus de Nîmes is a grilled sandwich originating in Nîmes, a type of croque-monsieur, with two slices of bread filled with goat cheese, green olive tapenade, honey, onion, and sliced almonds, toasted and seasoned with saffron. Gilles Deschamps and the Maison du Goût created this specific recipe in 2023 to celebrate the designation of the Maison Carrée, an ancient Roman temple in Nîmes, as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The name of the sandwich refers to the saffron crocus, a flower historically cultivated in the surrounding region and whose threads provide the golden color and earthy aroma of the final product. Preparation begins by lightly sprinkling the sourdough bread with saffron and a small amount of olive oil. A layer of green tapenade is spread on one slice of bread, then a portion of goat cheese is placed in the center. A thin layer of honey (either Cévennes or Garrigues) is spread over the top, followed by a handful of flaked almonds and fresh slices of sweet Cévennes onion. After the sandwich is closed with the second slice of bread, the exterior is drizzled with additional olive oil. The assembly is placed in a toasted sandwich machine or under a grill and cooked until the bread turns golden and crusty. The sandwich is eaten hot as a lunch or snack, paired with a fresh green salad and a glass of white or rosé wine from the Costières de Nîmes vineyards.