Weekend Recipe 12.18.10

A combination suited for a quite & cozy weekend .

Serve with a glass of wine and a good book.

Croque Monsieur with Fresh Spinach 

 Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, plus some for eggs

2 tablespoons flour

1 1/2 cups whole milk

Salt and pepper

Nutmeg, freshly grated to taste

2 cups lightly packed small farm/organic spinach leaves, stemmed and coarsely chopped

8 slices prosciutto cotto or other mild ham

1/2 pound Gruyère cheese, shredded

4 hand-cut slices good quality white bread, 3/4-inch thick
4 large organic eggs

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Heat a small skillet over medium heat and melt butter. Whisk in flour, cook for 1 minute then whisk in milk. Season sauce with salt, pepper and nutmeg, and thicken to coat back of spoon. Wilt spinach into sauce and remove from heat.

Arrange bread slices on a baking sheet and distribute the spinach and sauce evenly over the bread. Top each slice of bread with 2 folded slices of ham and a small mound of cheese. Bake to golden on top. Cook eggs any style, top each slice of bread with an egg and serve.



Beet & le'Orange Salad

Directions

Boil 1 pound beets in salted water until tender, 30 to 40 minutes.

Drain, then peel and slice into wedges.

Toss in a serving bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, 2 tablespoons chopped chives or scallions, and salt and pepper.

Add 1 bunch arugula and 2 segmented blood oranges and toss.

ENJOY!