The Royal Chef At Home: Easy Seasonal Entertaining

CROQUES MONSIEUR

AS A CHEF FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS I KNOW THAT YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE OVENWHAT YOU PUT INTO IT. Buying the best quality ingredients you can afford really does make a difference. Here, with the best ham and the best cheese you end up with the best grilled cheese. So very, very good… MAKES 16 PIECES (AS A CANAPÉ)

4 slices good quality ham (Panonia is my favorite A little dry, slightly smoky and delicious but if you can’t find that then a good quality Black Forest ham will work)

8 slices Gruyere cheese ½ stick of salted butter (softened, but not melted) 8 slices European style white bread

1 Preheat broiler to high if planning to serve straight away.

3 With the remaining butter, butter the outside of the bread on both sides and then place onto a baking sheet. If you plan to serve them straight away, place under the broiler for about 5 minutes until the bread turns golden brown and crispy. 4 Remove the tray from the broiler and brown the other side. Remove from the oven, discard the crusts and cut into 4 rectangle pieces. Serve immediately.

2 Butter the 8 slices of bread on one side. On four of them place a slice of Gruyere. Place a slice of ham on top of the cheese followed by another slice of Gruyere on top of the ham. Finish by laying the remaining bread (butter side down) on top of the cheese.

146 THE ROYAL CHEF AT HOME