Long slowly simmered soup is great, but what if you just don't have the time? Here's a favorite soup that can be put together in a blink when you have a few 'mis en place' ingredients from your pantry.
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A Winning Combination
A winning combination, My Kenmore Grill and “The George Burger” - Judge's Choice Top Three
With Autumn in full swing there is no shortage of opportunities to create a championship tailgate or grilling event. So whether you are rooting for your favorite team in the World Series or the weekend Gridiron Match Up, try my award winning burger. When your team scores you’ll be glad you served The George Burger.
Croque-Monsieur
Think savory French toast meets toasted ham and cheese sandwich; which makes one heck of a lunch, or snack. Cut up into quarters for game day apps!
There are so many versions of this classic Parisian sandwich dating back to 1910. Classically you would use a béchamel or cream sauce over toasted bread with ham and cheese. But seriously, who makes cream sauces today, never mind for a sandwich?
Here’s my version, sans le sauce; so don't have a tizzy all you classical foodie folks! Mine version is simple, easy and well from the many empty plates I’ve seen, I report not one complaint to date!
image, Hirsch Media
Croque Monsieur
by George Hirsch | Makes two sandwiches
4 slices good quality firm textured sliced bread; I used an oatmeal bread for texture and flavor
4 slices of thin sliced good quality smoked ham
4 slices of sliced gruyere or emmental cheese, or good quality swiss
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Dijon mustard, enough to serve with sandwich
For The Batter:
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tablespoons milk
4 Tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Fresh grated black pepper
Mix eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese and pepper in a shallow bowl.
Assemble sandwiches with bread, 1 slice cheese, 1 slice ham, 1 slice cheese and top with slice of bread. Repeat for second sandwich. Press sandwiches lightly.
Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.
Pre heat a large sauté pan to medium high heat.
Add 2 Tablespoons butter to sauté pan. When butter stops sizzling add each sandwich to sauté pan. Allow to cook for one minute or until bread is nicely browned. Add additional 2 Tablespoons butter, turn and repeat on second side. Remove sandwiches to an ovenproof pan and heat in oven for five minutes. Serve immediately with Dijon.
le meilleur thé est en France
Most people would think go to England to get the best tea. But, believe it or not - France actually had tea nearly 25 years before the English. I am talking 17th century, in the 1630s. Tea became popular in French aristocratic circles and its rumored that the French actually initiated the addition of milk to tea. Well, that doesn't surprise me one bit, they put cream in everything. Today, I am touting that the best tea is in France, and you can get it at Mariage Frères (Mariage Brothers) tea company in Paris; which today the oldest tea house in France, founded in 1854. The Mariages have family roots in the tea import biz, since late 1700s.
Catskill Comfort
Maples trees are a dime a dozen in Upstate New York. Maple syrup requires 10 gallons of sap to yield one quart of syrup. That is about what the average tree will tap in one year. It really should be called liquid gold! It is wonderful to see the resurgence of the popularity of cottage industry goods, like local maple syrup. Catskill Comfort, besides having a catchy name has a stellar medium amber syrup that is going to make my good stuff picks. I found it at my local coffee shop, Jacks. Catskill Comfort will guild the lily on my Stack of Homemade Pancakes this weekend.
Catskill Comfort - Neversink, NY (845) 985-2996
image, Hirsch Media