Another one of my savoury “cake” recipes from France. This recipe is slightly more substantial than my Recipe #316039, as this recipe contains ham with white wine and port! Serve this as alternative sandwich bread or as a light snack spread with cream cheese or butter. This cake recipe will also make fantastic little appetisers if the loaf is cut into small cubes and served with olives, cubes of cheese and savoury spreads. Please note that the texture of this savoury cake is NOT like a sweet dessert cake – it will be slightly holey with a robust and slightly chewy texture, almost like sourdough.
My two versions of this classic French café/bistro sandwich – oven baked for large quantities and ease…….or, the traditional frying pan/skillet method! You can always rely upon the French to add a certain “je ne sais quoi” to even the simplest food …including the humble cheese and ham sandwich. The croque-monsieur (which becomes a croque-madame if you top it with a fried egg) is a great favourite in French cafés & bistros, and there are as many methods of crafting it as there are cafés! This one works for me. But, please be warned … it’s not for calorie-counters, the Cholesterol Police or those of a nervous disposition!!
Make and share this Garlic Soup / Castillian Sopa De Ajo recipe from Food.com.
Make and share this The Best Basque Beans recipe from Food.com.
Snagged this one for both cold & warm weather fare. Plan to serve hot in winter & more room temp in summer. Food & Drink Weekly editors listed their Top Picks of 2008 – this recipe which they claim can be on the table done in 35 minutes made the cut. It was devised by the retiring former Test Kitchen director Donna Deane. Give the breasts a three-minute pan fry until they’re nearly done, and then in the same pan make a quick Basque-style sauce — tomatoes and olives and herbs, slightly smoky pancetta. It’s all fantastic with the perfectly cooked chicken breasts that are so tender the meat is almost silky. Note: From test kitchen director Donna Deane. Espelette pepper is available at specialty food stores. Substitute in smoked paprika or even cayenne if needed. You can substitute canned San Marzano tomatoes for fresh tomatoes.
