House of Cards: Renewal

[Albert1434]

Aloha All

[Page Scrawler]

4 hours ago, clochette said:

Bonjour Pagey  how are you and the fam? 

We're doing well, thanks. I'll be making Croque Monsieur au gratin for dinner.

Pasta and bechamel with Gruyere cheese, nutmeg, onion, and ham, topped with croutons and baked in the oven.

[Albert1434]

We had for dinner

Crunchy Mahi-Mahi with Spicy Mango Salsa and coconut rice! so good !

[Headstall]

I actually finished a chapter I had started before I got sick! My hands are trembling and I feel weak, but it was worth it.  

[dughlas]

1 hour ago, Headstall said:

I actually finished a chapter I had started before I got sick! My hands are trembling and I feel weak, but it was worth it.  

While I applaud your accomplishment please for the love of all things holy and Drewcifer do not tax yourself over much. Your enthusiasm sometimes leads to faulty judgement and you can just "chair" any argument on that.

[dughlas]

3 hours ago, Page Scrawler said:

We're doing well, thanks. I'll be making Croque Monsieur au gratin for dinner.

Pasta and bechamel with Gruyere cheese, nutmeg, onion, and ham, topped with croutons and baked in the oven.

Recipe, if you please. 

[Page Scrawler]

37 minutes ago, dughlas said:

Recipe, if you please. 

 

Spoiler

Croque Monsieur Mac & Cheese

Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 30 mins | Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

The Base

• Pasta: 1 lb (450g) dried Cavatappi or Cellentani (the curls hold the sauce best)

• Ham: 1.5 cups thick-cut smoked ham, diced

• Onion: 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced

• Butter: 4 tbsp (for the roux and sautéing)

The Mornay Sauce

• Flour: 1/4 cup all-purpose

• Milk: 3 cups whole milk (room temperature prevents lumps)

• Cheese: 3 cups shredded Gruyère (reserve 1 cup for the topping)

• Seasoning: 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to taste

The Crunchy Topping

• Croutons: 1.5 cups sourdough croutons (crushed slightly)

• Butter: 1 tbsp melted

---

Instructions

1. Prep the Pasta: Boil the pasta in salted water until just under al dente (about 2 minutes less than the package says). It will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté the Aromatics: In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, melt 1 tbsp of butter. Sauté the onions until soft and translucent (about 5 mins). Add the diced ham and cook for another 2 minutes just to brown the edges. Remove ham/onions from the pot and set aside.

3. Make the Roux: In the same pot, melt the remaining 3 tbsp of butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes over medium heat until it smells slightly nutty but hasn't browned.

4. Build the Sauce: Slowly whisk in the milk, a splash at a time, ensuring no lumps remain. Simmer until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.

5. The "Croque" Flavor: Turn off the heat. Stir in 2 cups of Gruyère, the Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.

6. Combine: Fold the cooked pasta, onions, and ham into the cheese sauce until every noodle is coated.

7. Bake: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with the remaining 1 cup of Gruyère and the sourdough croutons. Drizzle the melted butter over the croutons.

8. Finish: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15–20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the croutons are golden brown.

 

Edited January 29 by Page Scrawler

[Headstall]

2 hours ago, dughlas said:

While I applaud your accomplishment please for the love of all things holy and Drewcifer do not tax yourself over much. Your enthusiasm sometimes leads to faulty judgement and you can just "chair" any argument on that.

Duly noted, bro.  I had a phone appointment with my doc yesterday, and he said I should move around more than I have been now, and that sitting up three or four times a day for five, ten, or twenty minutes will help expand my lungs. I know I need to build myself up, and that it can't be rushed.   

[Bucket1]

20 hours ago, clochette said:

@Bucket1 did you get your car back??

Yes they found it, did the service and I have it back  

[chris191070]

[Bucket1]

Hey Chris

Friday afternoon here and it’s a bit warm.

[chris191070]

2 minutes ago, Bucket1 said:

Hey Chris

Friday afternoon here and it’s a bit warm.

It cold and wet here in the uk

[dughlas]

4 hours ago, Bucket1 said:

Hey Chris

Friday afternoon here and it’s a bit warm.

 

4 hours ago, chris191070 said:

It cold and wet here in the uk

Still the wee dark hours here with temp at or just below freezing. They' re forecasting snow on the beach this weekend. Amount yet tbd.

[spike382]

Well we’re finally past the ice, for the moment anyway. 
 

now it’s just really cold and dry.

[Albert1434]

Aloha All 😁

 

[Albert1434]

Tonight were having for dinner

Chimichurri Chicken & Veggie Wraps with tzatziki sauce.

[clochette]

14 hours ago, Bucket1 said:

Hey Chris

Friday afternoon here and it’s a bit warm.

B, it's not nice to brag  

It's cold, grey and wet here...

Edited January 30 by clochette

[Albert1434]

Aloha All

[Bucket1]

19 hours ago, clochette said:

B, it's not nice to brag  

It's cold, grey and wet here...

Not bragging, it’s 39C tomorrow and 40C on Monday, high 30s for the rest of the week.

The heat is pretty normal this time of year, it was always toasty when school went back

[Headstall]

Hello, friends.  500 words of a new, pivotal chapter, but I am already worn out. I can hardly move my neck, and my back is soaked with sweat. Been put on probiotic pills to combat the damage the antibiotics did to my bowels.  Hopefully, I'll be able to stop complaining to you guys in a week or two. 

[Page Scrawler]

1 minute ago, Headstall said:

Hello, friends.

Take care, Gary. 

[dughlas]

2 hours ago, Headstall said:

Hello, friends.  500 words of a new, pivotal chapter, but I am already worn out. I can hardly move my neck, and my back is soaked with sweat. Been put on probiotic pills to combat the damage the antibiotics did to my bowels.  Hopefully, I'll be able to stop complaining to you guys in a week or two. 

[Page Scrawler]

A quote from Max:

Q: Why do writers always feel cold?

A: Because they're always surrounded by drafts.

[Bucket1]

14 hours ago, Headstall said:

Hello, friends.  500 words of a new, pivotal chapter, but I am already worn out. I can hardly move my neck, and my back is soaked with sweat. Been put on probiotic pills to combat the damage the antibiotics did to my bowels.  Hopefully, I'll be able to stop complaining to you guys in a week or two. 

[Albert1434]

Aloha All