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Lovely Weekend and Dinner Chez Moi

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Happy Tuesday, My Lovelies!  This past weekend was one of the prettiest July weekends at Lake Martin ever.  A front came through on Saturday afternoon and took all the heat and humidity with it. The low Sunday morning was in the low sixties.

Here are a few photos from the weekend:



Boats at the marina



Harbor Point Marina



Cubs fans flying the W @ Lake Martin, Alabama



Nibblers float through grill...



...now delivers!  The dude on the jet ski will bring your order to your boat!



Let me tell ya it was hard to come home after a weekend like that.  Yesterday I spent the day doing laundry and running errands.  I also made a little bit of time to play in the art studio in the afternoon, and before I knew it I had two hungry faces remind me that it's time to make supper!

Recently I bought yet another one of Elizabeth Bard's books.  I loved Lunch in Paris so much I bought multiple copies to give as gifts.








Dinner at Chez Moi is an interesting little book filled with recipes and unique tips on all things related to authentic French cuisine.  I really enjoyed reading the tips interspersed throughout the book, and the recipes I've tried so far have been fairly simple and delicious.

It has been so long since I've posted a recipe, and I don't know why because I've certainly been cooking a lot lately.  Yesterday I cooked a wonderful recipe for our lunch, and I thought I'd share it today.  It was quick, and hot.  Sometimes, even in summer, I want a hot lunch!


Croque-Monsieur

(I like this particular recipe because it is open-faced like a tartine.)  I adapted Bard's recipe by dividing it in half.  I also didn't add nutmeg to the sauce.

Makes 4 tartines.


Ingredients:

4 slices sourdough bread
1 T butter
1 T flour
3/4 c whole milk
pinch of salt
3 t Grey Poupon mustard
3/4 c Gruyère cheese, grated
4 slices of quality ham


Procedure:

Toast bread, and place toast on foil-lined cookie sheet.

In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.  Whisk in the flour and make a roux by stirring for about one minute until it's a golden color.  Whisk in the milk and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce is thickened 4 - 5 minutes.  Take off heat, and stir in salt and mustard. Stir in half the cheese.  This is called a béchamel sauce.

Top each slice of toast with a slice or two of ham, and top with 2T of béchamel sauce and then sprinkle with remaining cheese.





Cook in the middle of the oven on medium broil for 4 minutes.  Move to top rack and increase heat to high broil for 30 seconds - one minute to brown.  

Elizabeth Bard suggests serving this dish with a salad, and I did!








If you haven't read Lunch in Paris, you really should.   It is such a fun book, and I'm sure you'll pick-up the other two books as well!  

What are you having for lunch today?


Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill





9 comments

  1. I'd love to read the books and make the recipe!

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  2. Oh wow, what a glorious July day at the lake. I'm sure you did hate to leave, it all seems so perfect! So happy you talked about these reads, I've had Lunch in Paris on my read list with a question mark, now I will have to read it. The recipe sounds delicious...........

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  3. Oh how fun the lake area looks. Go Cubs! These books look really sweet and nice. How fun to read about the recipes and make them too. I will have to look into these books.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  4. This looks mighty tasty! The lake looks glorious! We thought we might check it out soon. Looking forward to seeing you!

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  5. Oh, I would love to be on the lake. It is HOT here.
    Thank you for the book review and recipe.

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  6. Very tasty looking. My husband would love this. Lovely books as well, if I could find some time for myself.

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  7. I am drooling after reading that last recipe and seeing the pictures.
    Love all the pictures of the lake and especially love the fun of the NIBBLERS boat!
    Have a great night- xo Diana

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  8. I'm going to have to check out the book. I'm glad you had a fantastic weekend. Love the W!

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  9. What a great idea to make Croque Monsieur topless! Looks divine! I will check out those books asap!

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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