#JackieCameronWorldWonderDishes
The super-talented student chefs from the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine have partnered with Defy to bring you some of the world’s most wondrous dishes. Our next stop around the world in 50 dishes lands us in France, just in time for breakfast! A Croque Monsieur is a French bistro staple that is easy to recreate in your own kitchen - we can’t get enough of this indulgent and delicious cheese sauce. Our students have taught us how to make a loaf of bread (they are over-achievers) but if you’re not in the mood shop-bought bread will more than suffice.
Transform this dish into a Croque Madame by sliding an egg on top.
Simple Breakfast Bread
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients:
● 60g salted butter
● 380g stoneground white bread flour
● 1 packet (10g) instant yeast
● 5ml salt
● 14g milk powder
● 22g white sugar
● 5ml spirit vinegar
● 300ml warm Water
● Egg wash:
● 1 whole egg
● 5ml Water
● Extra:Cake Flour
Method:
Rub the butter into all the dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and pour in the vinegar and warm water. Hand-knead well on a floured surface for 10 minutes to form a soft, elastic dough. Place into a greased baking tin (22x11cm) and allow it to rise until doubled in size - about 30 minutes. Glaze with the egg wash, and bake in the Defy Cooker oven at 180°C for about 30 minutes.
Cheese Sauce
Ingredients:
● 1L full cream milk
● 2 whole black peppercorns
● 1 bay leaf
● 5ml salt
● 1 onion, chopped
● 2 sprigs rosemary
● 125ml salted butter
● 125ml stoneground cake flour
● 100gr cheddar cheese, grated
● Extra salt and pepper to taste
Method:
Bring the milk with the peppercorns, bay leaves, salt, onion and rosemary to the boil, allowing all the flavours to infuse. Strain and set aside.
Make a blond roux: Place a saucepan on the heat on the Defy Cooker and add butter. When melted, add the flour and cook until golden, while stirring continuously. Slowly add the warm, infused milk so no lumps form. Bring to the boil and allow simmering until correct consistency is reached. Add the grated cheese and stir until it has completely melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Assembling the Croque Monsieur or Madame
Yield: 1 Sandwich
Ingredients:
- 2 slices bread
- 30 ml cheese sauce, so 15ml on each slice of bread
- 80g gammon ham
- 40g salted butter
- 10g parmesan, grated
- Optional: 1 fried egg if making a Croque Madame
Method:
Slice the bread, butter and top with the gammon slices, then add the cheese sauce. Top with a sprinkling of Parmesan and finish under the broil element in the Defy Cooker. Serve hot.
Add a fried egg to make a Croque Madame.
