If you’re visiting Paris for the first time of course you’ll want to visit the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Versailles. But you’ll also want to stroll the narrow streets of the Left Bank, finding a little bistro for a glass of wine and a decadent Croque Monsieur or giving your feet a rest by picnicking along the Seine or in the Bois de Boulogne with a fresh loaf of bread and some Camembert cheese!
Signature Drink – The 1789
Ingredients:
½ ounce Bonal Quina (a French apéritif wine).
You can substitute a sweet red vermouth like Punt E Mes
½ ounce Lillet Blanc (a French aromatized wine).
A less sweet substitute is white vermouth, or St. Germain elderflower liqueur, though it’s sweeter than Lillet
1½ ounces whiskey
(for a completely French drink, consider Bastille whiskey)
Ice
Orange peel for garnish
Instructions:
Chill a martini glass. In a mixing glass, combine the Bonal Quina, Lillet Blanc, and whiskey. Add the ice and stir to chill. Strain into the chilled martini glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Signature Dish – Croque Monsieur
Ingredients:
Bechamel Sauce
1 ¼ cups milk
1T butter
3 T flour
Salt and pepper to taste
nutmeg
Croque Monsieur
8 slices brioche bread or other dense bread
4 slices good quality smoked ham
2 ½ cups gruyere or emmental cheese
4T Dijon mustard
Preparation: Prepare the Bechamel Sauce
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk continuously until well combined, forming a roux. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook the sauce for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Cover with a plastic wrap to prevent drying and set aside.
Assemble:
Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C).Toast your white bread slices. Spread on one side with a thin layer of Dijon mustard (if desired) on one side.Spread 1/3 of the Bechamel sauce on each slice and place a slice of ham on top.Sprinkle half of the amount of grated cheese over the ham.Close the Croque Monsieur with a slice of toasted bread. Add the remaining Bechamel sauce and finish with the remaining grated cheese.
Bake:
Place the assembled Croque Monsieur sandwiches on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.Remove from the oven and let the Croque Monsieur cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
