The Ultimate Coastal Picnic: Double-Radish Tartines
Whenever I pack a basket for a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway, I completely refuse to bring a boring, soggy sandwich. The inspiration for these Double-Radish Picnic Tartines hit me during a breezy afternoon in Point Reyes. I was sipping a cloudy, natural Pét-Nat and remembering my childhood in Paris, where a simple fresh radish with good salted butter was the ultimate afternoon snack. I decided right then to give that classic French pairing a sunny West Coast makeover. What makes this recipe so incredibly special to me is the playful contrast. We treat my favorite French breakfast radishes—grown by a lovely local farmer named Julian who obsessively checks his soil acidity—two ways. Half are quick-cured to a savory, pliant intensity, and the other half are quick-pickled for a bright, snappy crunch. Piled high on a thick slice of toasted sourdough with an unapologetic swoosh of homemade tarragon cultured butter, it is pure magic. Do not be precious about the technique! If you cannot find fresh tarragon, just fold some finely minced shallots and a squeeze of bright citrus into your butter instead. Pour yourself a glass of chilled orange wine, find a patch of California sun, and enjoy.
Featured Recipe
Double-Radish Picnic Tartines with Tarragon Cultured Butter
Whenever I pack a basket for a drive up the coast, I refuse to bring boring sandwiches. This is my ultimate California-Parisian picnic bite: the classic French radish and butter pairing, completely reimagined. We treat beautiful French breakfast radishes two ways—half are quick-cured to a savory, pliant intensity, while the other half are quick-pickled for a bright, snappy crunch.
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Timeline
Ingredients
- 1 bunch French breakfast radishes(washed, trimmed, and very thinly sliced (about 2 cups total))
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt(divided (1 tsp for curing, 1/2 tsp for pickling))
- 1.5 tsp granulated sugar(divided (1/2 tsp for curing, 1 tsp for pickling))
- 1/2 tsp orange zest(freshly grated)
- 1/2 cup Champagne vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp coriander seeds
- 4 oz cultured butter(high-quality, softened to room temperature)
- 1 tbsp fresh tarragon(finely chopped)
- 1 tsp Meyer lemon juice(regular lemon works if Meyer is unavailable)
- 1 loaf French baguette(sliced into 1/2-inch rounds)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 ripe avocado(halved, pitted, and thinly sliced)
- 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt(like Maldon, to finish)
- pinch black pepper(mentioned in step 7 for finishing the radish toast)
Instructions
- 1
Wash and trim 1 bunch French breakfast radishes. Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, slice them into thin coins. You should end up with roughly 2 cups. Divide the slices evenly into two separate bowls.
5 min
Tip: A mandoline makes quick work of this, but watch your fingers! You want them thin enough to bend, but not paper-thin.
- 2
In one bowl, toss half the radishes (about 1 cup sliced radishes) with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp granulated sugar, and 1/2 tsp orange zest. Massage them gently with your fingers. Set aside to quick-cure at room temperature. As they sit, the salt will draw out their moisture, transforming their texture to something wonderfully pliant and intensely savory.
5 min
Tip: Don't skip massaging the radishes—the mechanical action helps the salt penetrate quickly.
- 3
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup Champagne vinegar, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp coriander seeds. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Pour the hot liquid over the remaining 1 cup sliced radishes in their bowl. Let them quick-pickle while you finish the rest of your prep.
5 min
Tip: Pouring hot liquid over the radishes slightly blanches them, locking in their vibrant pink color while mellowing their peppery bite.
- 4
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened 4 oz cultured butter, 1 tbsp fresh tarragon, and 1 tsp Meyer lemon juice. Using a whisk or a wooden spoon, beat vigorously until the butter is aerated, light, and fluffy.
5 min
Tip: Cultured butter is non-negotiable here! The fermentation gives it a slight tang that cuts through the richness beautifully.
- 5
Preheat your oven's broiler or warm a grill pan on the stove. Brush the slices of 1 French baguette lightly with 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil and toast until crisp on the outside but still slightly chewy in the center, about 3-4 minutes per side.
8 min
Tip: Let the toasts cool for just a minute before spreading the butter so it doesn't melt into a puddle.
- 6
Take your salt-cured radishes and rinse them thoroughly under cold water to wash away the excess salt. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel. Drain your pickled radishes as well (no need to rinse those).
2 min
Tip: Drying the cured radishes is crucial so you don't end up with a watery tartine.
- 7
To assemble, smear a generous swoop of the whipped cultured butter onto each toast. Lay down a thin slice of 1/2 ripe avocado, then top playfully with a tangled mix of both the cured and pickled radishes. Finish with a crack of black pepper and a pinch of 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt.
5 min
Tip: Serve immediately alongside a chilled, slightly funky natural rosé or a pet-nat.
Chef's Notes
The Parisian in me demands a thick slab of butter and a crisp radish. The Californian in me can't resist a sliver of avocado and a hit of bright citrus. By treating the radishes two ways—one deeply umami and pliant, the other sharp and crunchy—you elevate a simple snack into something completely unforgettable. If you are packing these for a real picnic, pack the components separately in little jars and assemble them sitting on your blanket. It’s half the fun.
Marguerite Lavigne
French soul, California sun
I grew up in a small village outside Lyon, where my grandmother taught me that the best meals come from respecting your ingredients. After training at Le Cordon Bleu and spending years in Parisian kitchens, I moved to San Francisco and fell in love with California's farmers markets and wine country. Now I cook the food I wish my grandmother could taste—French technique with California abundance, where a perfect roast chicken might come with Meyer lemon and wild fennel instead of tarragon.