Croque Madame with Mornay Makes 1 1/2 cups and 2 open faced

Ingredients:

4 T butter 1/2 cup white onion, diced kosher salt ¼ cup AP flour, toasted (we can do this together) 3 cups whole milk 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1 bay leaves 5 black peppercorns 2 whole cloves freshly grated nutmeg ground white pepper, fresh 1/2 cup grated comté

Method:

Begin to warm the milk and cream slowly in a saucepan. In a heavy pan over medium heat, add the flour and begin to toast. When it smells slightly nutty, remove from the pan. Add and melt the butter in the same heavy saucepan set over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly, 2-3 minutes or until translucent. Add the flour slowly, by sprinkling in and whisking to combine. Stir to cook. Make sure the four doesn’t burn. While whisking, add the milk and cream until fully incorporated. Bring to a simmer. Continue whisking. Add the bay leaf, peppercorns, cloves. Move the pan slightly off heat. Avoid scorching. Whisk occasionally. Cook this for around 15-20 minutes.

Remove the sauce and season with salt. Add the nutmeg- a few grates and a pinch of white pepper. Strain the sauce. Add the cheese and whisk to melt. To reheat, add a little bit of cream.

For the :

Good loaf of country bread, sliced into 2-1” thick pieces Olive oil 1# deli ham from the counter, sliced thin or shaved for a sandwich 6 slices of comte cheese or similar cheese salt and pepper

Heat the oven to broil. Spread the mayonnaise on the outside and inside of the bread. Place in a flat skillet to toast. Remove from the heat and pile high with ham. Cover with the comte cheese and place under the boiler. Spoon the hot mornay sauce over the melted cheese. Simple Green Side Salad

1 head of Boston or Bibb lettuce, washed and dried ¼ cup of olive oil Juice of 1 lemon 1 tsp minced or sliced shallot 1 tsp Dijon Chopped parsley Salt and pepper Container with lid for shaking with dressing

Place the olive oil, lemon juice, shallot, Dijon, parsley and salt and pepper in a container. Place the lid on and shake to combine. Pour a bit over the lettuces to simply dress. Add more if needed. Season more if needed.