Croque Monsieur

My girlfriends arrive late this afternoon, and, now that the house is clean, I think I am going to make them Croque Monsiuers, roasted winter squash soup, and a big green salad with glazed walnuts for dinner. Doesn't that sound kind of nice, next to the fireplace?

If you've never had one, a croque monsieur is a grilled ham-and-Gruyere sandwich topped with Mornay sauce, a creamy onion sauce. I made these a few weeks ago from Nancy Silverton's Sandwich Book: The Best Sandwiches Ever from Thursday Nights at Campanile, which is an absolutely fantastic sandwich cookbook. My friend Pam, who you know gives the best presents, gave this book to me for Christmas a couple of years ago and I love it. I found Nancy's recipe for the Croque Monsieur on-line for you, too; the Mornay sauce seems a little fiddle-y if you're used to just bunging together your roux, tossing in your milk, and stirring, as I am, but I assure you that the subtly and sophisticatication of this sauce is well worth the effort, and Nancy knows far better than I why one would, say, need to add the flour in two batches. Just sayin. It's an incredible treat on a cold, dark night. Make sure you get really good bread for this, too; I bought a loaf of French country from Petite Provence in southeast Portland — it's dense and chewy and slightly sour. Anyway, you can tell I like this sandwich, eh? Someone asked me recently to put together a list of my favorite cookbooks and you don't have to ask me to do that twice, so as soon as I get myself organized I will do that, too.

In the spirit of organization, I got around to answering City Girl's One-Word-Answer meme. I'd been wanting to design a meme for a while, but being too lazy to think in sentences longer than one word, I thought just answering hers was a perfect idea:

Where is your mobile phone? Noclue

Where is your significant other? Late

Your hair colour? Sepia
Your mother? Social

Your father? Edgy

Your favourite thing? Corgis

Your dream last night? Forgotten

Your dream goal? Hypotension

The room you're in? Dim

Your hobby? Cross-stitch

Your fear? Oration

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Present

Where were you last night? Puhleez

What you're not? Selfless

One of your wish-list items? Fireplace

Where you grew up? Chaos

The last thing you did? Bleach

What are you wearing? Sweats

Your TV? BFF

Your pets? Demanding

Your computer? Demanding

Your mood? Hopeful

Missing someone? Always
Your car? Unlikely
Something you're not wearing? Socks
Favourite shop? Marshall's

Your summer? Short

Love someone? Relentlessly

Your favourite colour? Grayish

When is the last time you laughed? SNL

When is the last time you cried? Tuesday

Play along — it's fun!

Comments

[celine]

Mais non! A croque monsieur has no sauce on it! It is just gruyere on top!

[Selena]

I am only able to eat gluten free bread and gluten free bread is only remotely tasty when toasted. This sandwich looks heavenly and perfect for this dismal, rainy weather that we are having at the moment. So my bread will be gluten free but it's the best of the best from the Blackbird Bakery here on Bainbridge. Now I just need to buy the cheese that I can never pronounce.

[leanne]

i am shocked to read "grayish"
i love "relentlessly"

[KellyS]

Yummy. Like a grown up Monte Cristo, a very guilty pleasure of mine.

[Natalie]

I love the 1 word reply meme... they are almost therapeutic. Maybe I need to simplify everything.
Your dinner is so full of warmth and nurturing love... just like your blog.

[stacey]

I cried Tuesday too.

[cynthia]

I just adore your blog so much, each post is fabulous! its like opening a favorite magazine !!

lol, and now a magazine thats making my hungry! yummy post , I have to try one now! ;) that looks delicious!

I just had my very first GIVE-AWAY, so stop by if you havent had a chance it ends Sunday :) I tried to make it extra special for all the wonderful women who inspire me every day!! and your top at that list!!

~ Hugs ~ Cynthia

[karen]

I noticed your book-signings listed on the sidebar--YAY! I am so excited to get my copy next week! If you come to Indianapolis to sign, I will be at the front of the line.

Congrats and much success,
Karen

[Hannah Shaw]

Yum! That would be perfect for tonight. The cloud line is so low I think I could touch it, it's raining down here and pouring snow in the mountains. I loved your little meme. I love your blog because you are just yourself and you make me laugh! Have a great day with your friends!

[Betsy]

I have never heard anyone describe their hair color as sepia, but I like it..

[Cathie]

I love your blog and will be doing this meme - cute :o)

I am waiting your book - I have ordered it as an early Christmas present - I have a feeling it will never make it under the tree.

Enjoy your company - sounds like a wonderful evening is planned.

[Lorri]

Please let the calorie count shown on the recipe link be for four sandwiches, not one. Usually calorie counts are per serving....but 1,156?! That's a lot.

[hazelnutcottage]

hi! am i allowed to take up all this space?! okay, here goes:

Where is your mobile phone? huh?
Where is your significant other? teaching
Your hair colour? anaccidentallytoodarkbrownimadeamistake
Your mother? peacemaker
Your father? troublemaker
Your favourite thing? beach
Your dream last night? Forgotten
Your dream goal? cottage
The room you're in? messy
Your hobby? artmaking
Your fear? driving
Where do you want to be in 6 years? cottage
Where were you last night? herealwayshere
What you're not? balanced
One of your wish-list items? cottagei'mrepeatingmyself
Where you grew up? makiki
The last thing you did? Bleach
What are you wearing? swimsuit
Your TV? toobig
Your pets? peeing
Your computer? on
Your mood? low
Missing someone? yes
Your car? no
Something you're not wearing? Socks
Favourite shop? barnesandnobles
Your summer? perfect
Love someone? downtomytoes
Your favourite colour? bluegreen
When is the last time you laughed? billyelliot
When is the last time you cried? billyelliot

[Maggie]

Celine is right. A croque monsieur is a baguette bread sandwich with ham and gruyère cheese toasted in the oven. I know you like to make things so I posted on my blog pictures from a fantastic french book on bags to sew. I'm sure it will give you and your reader some ideas for christmas. I will certainly make one to give as I took the handmade pledge. I love your blog Alicia and I wish I had your talent in photography.

[Jennifer]

You sound just like Ina. How wonderful.

[lovetostitch]

Found your blog the day I started the new diet - one word - UGH!!! I want a bite!! Great fun, and enjoyed going back reading previous ones. I hope I can keep up. Thanks for the giggles!! xo

[Laura]

Did it!

[Deirdre]

On a totally unrelated comment -
I just picked up a copy of your book!!! I've only had a chance to look at the pictures but I have to say I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in to doing some of the stuff - the doll looks great.
It all looks so pretty and wonderful - Thank You!
Best,
D.

[ellen Crimi-Trent]

I cried big time on tues when I could see Rev. Jesse Jackson crying, just thinking about all he went through and how he has tried to bring Martin Luther Kings message, what a moment!

By the way I died when I saw your movie list, I love all of them too, and have seen The Holiday about 20 times as well as Something Gotta Give and Tuscan Sun! I am a sucker for love stories, but Becoming Jane is another I just love!!

[SierraMoon]

Being French, i tend to agree with Celine (first comment) a croque-monsieur may have a creamy sauce inside along with the cheese, but never on top, top is grilled shredded cheese only.
This book with numerous recipes of croque-monsieurs is absolutely fabulous !
http://www.amazon.fr/Croquez-Monsieur-Philippe-Conticini/dp/2501051270/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226107275&sr=1-1
(but I'm afraid it is avaible in French only !)
And have you ever tried a croque-madame ?!

[SierraMoon]

ps : and I'm sorry but Maggie
a croque-monsieur or -madame or croque-whatever, is definitely NOT made with baguette !
but with the US type bread or in a more "country" version with a kind of large round bread (a bit like the sourdough style)

[Laurie]

I love that plate so much I could marry it!

[Katy]

mmmmm...who cares what a real croque monsieur is "supposed" to have! this sandwich looks delicious!!!

[Lorrie]

What a fun meme - I did it and had so much fun.
Yummy sandwich - perfect for a WET west coast evening.

Lorrie

[chez shoes]

Hah - "hypotension" made me laugh out loud :) I hear you on that one.