Croque Monsieur... Finally, and It's not Complicated!

Have you ever seen a recipe featured in a film that you couldn't wait to

try at home? Well, that's the story behind my burning desire to

create Croque Monsieur after seeing, It's Complicated...

I admit, my burning desire has been simmering for quite a while... I mean,

the film debuted two years ago this month! Maybe it's because the disk

lives in my blueray player and I just happen to be watching it again for

the 37th time, right now... But I hardly feel I'm as late to this party as I

obviously am. Most other bloggers that loved the movie as much as
I did, (still do!) who couldn't wait to blog their adventure in Croque

Monsieur have been there and already did that a long, long time ago!

But you know me... I'm no follower. I will

make my Béchamel sauce only in my own time!

And, not a moment sooner! So for this last

chance to make dinner in 2011, I decided it's time!

Just for the record... It's not the story-line of a divorced couple committing adultery

between Streep and Baldwin, or the reaction to their affair by their three, barely

adult children who can't decide whether they actually remember the divorce or

should blame it for their seemingly constant fragile emotional states that has

me in love with this film. No... It's first the house and second, the food!

Although the story goes that Streep is eager to remodel it, the kitchen

in her movie-home is to die for! I find myself watching in slow-motion

and rewinding, (often!) just to get a better look at the serving pieces,

dishes and accessories used to decorate the dining and kitchen sets!

So if you haven't seen the movie or if you haven't already made your

own Croque Monsieur, I'm recommending you do both! There are lots of

recipe variations, all basically the same, so I suggest you do a little research

and pick one that suits you best. In the film, Streep's Croque Monsieur appears

open-faced, but I didn't go that route. In most recipes, the cheese covering

the Black Forest ham is sliced Gruyère, but I didn't go that route either!

The important thing to remember, regardless of the recipe you choose, is to

use only the absolute best quality ingredients you can buy. It makes a huge

difference, and if you just slap lunch meat on bread and cover it in cheese,

you're going to miss the luxury that is Croque Monsieur done properly!

One thing I did do like they did in the movie

is cover my baking sheet with parchment!

After all, this is one of the baking sheets I use to make my sugar

cookies, so we can't have it mussed up with baked-on cheese!

And, there will be cheesey spillage this evening...

Lots of it!

Trust me when I tell you that men love this dish!

Maybe it's because they appreciate simple things. Or maybe it's because

men are simple... I can't be sure. But what I am sure of is that my Croque

Monsieur received rave reviews and an immediate request for an encore!

I said, I can do that!

Tomatoes on top after the broiler or tomatoes under the cheese before you

broil... You decide. But do use a beautiful, very ripe heirloom tomato!

And, do top with a sprinkle of extra Parmesan!

You'll be happy you did!

Remember I said there were numerous ways to get to

a great Croque Monsieur? Well, this is my way...

Finished with plenty of California avocado!

I think I'll call it Le Croque Monsieur Monterey!