So, my dear sister suggested I watch the movie "Julie and Julia" since she loved it so I thought I might like it too, even though we have complete opposite taste in movies, I enjoyed it and decided since I like to cook and bake maybe this would be a great adventure for me to try out. I began looking through the numerous cookbooks I have: Sanda Lee, Dinner Doctor, Betty Crocker, and seeing as I have four Paula Dean cookbooks I think the choice was obvious, not to mention the fact my family loves cheese, butter and gooeyness. So I have begun my quest through the newest cookbook of hers, "The Dean Family Cookbook". I would like to share the most incredible recipe I have made so far and my husband absolutely flipped over it!
There is no shortage of cheese and gooeyness in this recipe. And in my definate opinion the fried egg has to be over medium, the runnier the better.
Enjoy this one for sure and if you have any youhave tried please tell us about them.
Foodnetworks Paula Dean Recipe Link
CROQUE MADAME
Ingredients
8 slices sourdough bread
8 ounces Gruyere, very thinly sliced
12 ounces smoked ham, very thinly sliced
2 to 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 extra-large eggs
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Butter 1 side of each bread slice.
Set half of the slices of bread buttered side down in the griddle or cast iron skillet, and cover each with a slice of cheese. Place 3 or 4 slices of the ham over the cheese, and place the top slice of bread over the ham, buttered side up. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook sandwiches until bottom is golden brown and cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Remove sandwiches and place on a plate. Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the top of each sandwich, and then place a slice of cheese on top. Put the sandwiches back onto the griddle or skillet then place in oven, cooking until golden brown and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet over high heat. Cook each egg sunny side up. Turn egg over and cook 3 minutes longer for a soft-cooked egg, or 5 minutes longer for a hard-cooked egg. Repeat with remaining butter and eggs.
Place 1 fried egg atop each sandwich. Season egg, to taste, with salt and pepper. Serve sandwich immediately.
Here is one without the cheese if you have a husband who doesn't like cheese like me. Cut thick slices of bread, melt butter in skillet, butter bottom side of bread and put in skillet till golden brown, while browning put diced tomatoes, bit of garlic, fresh basil on top. I mean it is all you need for dinner. You could add some thin slices of ham too - probable Julia would use panceta (sp) YUMM...my mouth is watering!
ReplyDeleteWow that sounds great, I can smell the fresh basil and the tomatoes getting sweet. Yummy, maybe the next visit to your house we can make this dish, since my husband doesnt like tomatoes.
ReplyDeleteBelow is a link for an easy cookie recipe I discovered recently for Chocolate Toffee Cookies. After making them, I personally would add even more toffee and possibly 1/4 of chocolate chunks to make them really gooey. They're super easy to make and yummy!
ReplyDeletehttp://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Toffee-Cookies-I/Detail.aspx#
Keep me posted as your cooking adventure continues! :o)