CROQUE MONSIEUR BAKE

Searching for something different and easy to make for Father's Day breakfast I stumbled on Nigella's book: Nigella Express. I found a few recipes including and orange french toast that's now on my to be tried list.  But it was this recipe that caught my fancy.  What could be better than CROQUE MONSIEUR soaked overnight with eggs?  Yummy!  And also great leftover!  Reheated one in a non-stick pan w/a small amount of butter.  Since the bottom bread doesn't brown, it gives an opportunity for some caramelization of the egg side similar to french toast crust.  Also wrapped two pieces in foil and heated in oven for 10 minutes.  Both versions were tasty.  But the original on Sunday morning was awesome.

Here's the recipe:

CROQUE MONSIEUR BAKE

Recipe By :NIGELLA LAWSON
Serving Size : 4  (makes six 1/2 sammies)

Ingredients:
6 slices ready-sliced multigrain brown bread
1/3 cup Dijon mustard
6 slices Gruyère slices
3 slices ham
6 eggs
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/3 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons grated Gruyère -- Emmental or Cheddar
1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce


Directions:
Spread each slice of bread with mustard. Make sandwiches by putting each slice of cheese against the mustardy bread, and a slice of ham between them. Cut each sandwich in half to make two triangles.
Squish the sandwich triangles into an ovenproof dish approx. 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 and 2 1/4 deep
Beat together the eggs, salt and milk pour over sandwiches
Cover the dish with clingfilm and leave in the fridge overnight.
Next morning, preheat the oven to 400°f. Take the dish out of the fridge and remove the clingfilm.
Sprinkle with the grated cheese and Worcestershire sauce and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
Description:
"Like grilled ham and cheese baked in egg custard for a fantastic breakfast casserole!"
Source:
http://www.nigella.com/recipe/recipe_detail.aspx?rid=104

Here's a picture of the table:

The rest of the menu:

Home Fried Potatoes w/Onions & Red Peppers

Sugar-glazed Bacon

Date Nut Bread with Orange-scented Cream Cheese

Toasted Mini Bagels

Watermelon Sticks, Pineapple Chunks and Sliced Strawberries

Assorted Juices, Coffee & Tea

And of course, Joe's O's Nana's favorite cereal for the youngest grandson!

Breakfast was enjoyed by all and the RI Huff's went to da Bronx to attend the final game of the Subway Series, between the Yankees and the Mets--they go every year and have divided loyalty, so two root for the Mets and two for the Yankees! Very Democratic of them I think!