“Croque monsieur” is loosely translated as “gentleman crunch.” The ultimate comfort food.
Baked or fried ham and cheese, topped with grated cheese, slightly salted and peppered; then baked. Sometimes, the bread is dipped in whipped eggs, and topped with a Bechamel cream sauce, Emmental or Gruyere cheese before baking. The croquet Madame has a fried egg on top. Mon Dieu! I’ll stay with the Monsieur.
This time of year, we’re all looking for comfort. Unfortunately, the obesity epidemic is proof positive that many of us turn to food first. I found an article on healthy good recipes. There are some easy changes you can make and still reduce the bad stuff.
- Step away from as many prepared foods, sauces and soups as you dare. They pile in lots of calories and diminish food value.
- Those pasta dishes. Add fresh vegetables into macaroni and cheese. Bulk up on broccoli, not pasta. Try an Italian whole grain pasta called Jovial. It’s also gluten- free. Substitute eggplant for lasagna noodles and do not fry for prep. You can bake the eggplant sliced with salt and pepper, turning it to cook- no oil allowed. Then use it as you would lasagna noodles.
- All you tomato sauce lovers. Change your sauce- to- pasta ratio 3:1. Cut out the pasta loading and savor the flavors.
- Bake your whole chicken without any added fat. Lay it on a rack in the oven with a dry spice rub. Lots of grease will drain off the bird. Discard it! You can then boil the leftover carcass for soup.
- Love that apple spice smell during the holidays? Steam washed cored, halved apples in a couple inches of water till mushy. Sprinkle them with cinnamon and allspice. Apples have lots of sugar inside, no need to add more.
And if you’re looking for more specific guidance; some recipes for you.
People find comfort in different ways. It will always include music for me. Greg Lake, lead singer/ songwriter for Emerson Lake & Palmer, a British progressive rock group, passed away this month. One of their big hits was “I Believe in Father Christmas.” Fine disco.
When asked why he wrote the song he said, “For me as a child, it (Christmas) was the visual image of peace on earth and goodwill toward men. It was the symbol of generosity and feeling good and all those things. And that’s what I think Christmas is all about.”
Yes, I feel that way too.
Feeling good also includes seeing beautiful things too. Like Paola Pillows. 
Soft, beautiful, clean, washable. They’re all that and more. Made in America.
Read more here. Buy some here.
Happy Holiday Cooking!
Leave a Reply