Croque Monsieur

From the age of three to the age of ten I lived in London, England. During this time of my life my family and I would travel around Europe during vacation. Since it was very convenient, we would go to France for a few days as it was only a Eurostar ride away. France was the easiest place to travel, (and my parents favorite), we would go there at least once a year. Like all children I liked grilled cheese and other basic foods, so while in France I would always get a Croque Monsieur since it is the French version of ham and cheese. The other day I was thinking about different lunch foods and Croque Monsieur came to mind. I decided to make it for my dad and I for lunch. It is so simple to make yet so hearty and delicious. I hope you enjoy my recipe for Croque Monsieur!

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons Butter
3 Tablespoons Flour
1 1/4 Cup Milk (warmed)
1 Cup Gruyere Cheese
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1/4 Teaspoons Mustard Powder
a pinch of Nutmeg
8 oz Sliced Ham
4 Slices of White Sandwich Bread (toasted)

Pre heat the oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit. In a small saucepan mix the butter and flour together to make a roux. To this add the warm milk and whisk together until the roux has dissolved. Next, add the salt 1/2 the gruyere cheese, pepper, mustard powder, and nutmeg to the béchamel and taste to check for seasoning.

Place 2 toasted slices of bread on a baking sheet and evenly spread a layer of béchamel. Put 2 slices of ham on top of the béchamel and then add a little more béchamel on top of the ham. Place another piece of bread on top of the ham, and spread another layer of béchamel on top. Then put as much cheese as you want on top.

Bake in the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, then enjoy!

Tiramisu

I have always been a coffee lover, since the age of five I would ask my mom if I could have foam from on top of her coffee. When I went to my friends house one day she offered me some tiramisu that her mom made. It left me speechless. It was so creamy and sweet yet had that slight coffee flavor that I adore. Since that day whenever I go to an Italian restaurant I always order the tiramisu because it is one of my favorite desserts. Yesterday, I was doing my homework and I started to crave tiramisu, so I went to the supermarket to buy the ingredients. It was so simple to make yet it tastes so decadent and complex. I hope you enjoy my recipe for tiramisu!

Ingredients:
6 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup whole milk
32oz mascarpone cheese (a substitute for this would be 24oz cream cheese, 1 1/4 cup sour cream, and 3/4 cup heavy cream)
3/4 cups espresso or strong coffee, at room temperature
1/4 cup brandy or cognac
30 to 32 crisp Italian ladyfingers
Dutch-process cocoa powder to top out off

Over a double boiler whisk together the 6 egg yolks and sugar until the sugar dissolves, which takes about 3 minutes. Then, add the milk and mix for about 10 minutes or until the custard thickens and becomes light and foamy. Remove the bowl from the saucepan and set in the bowl of ice water and whisk for abut a minute or until the mixture is cool. 

Using a spatula gently fold the custard into the marscapone, once almost combined use a whisk to smoothen out the mixture. Place the custard mixture into the refrigerator for about a hour to make it easier to work with. In a shallow bowl combine the brandy and the espresso together. 

Place the lady fingers into this mixture until soaked but not soggy and then place them in the same direction. Place about 1/3 of the custard on top of the lady fingers and repeat 2 more times but alternate the direction of the ladyfingers this time. Once all the ingredients are used dust cocoa powder on top of the Tiramisu and enjoy!