You’re never too old to learn. I’d like to add that you’re never too young as well! This week I taught a Kids and Parents Cook French cooking class and it was an eye-opener! The one recipe that I thought might be a little difficult for young kids turned out to be their favorite, not only to devour, but to make as well!

Croque Monsieur (pronounced Croak Miss-yur) is a classic hot ham and cheese sandwich topped with grated cheese to form a delicious crust and then baked or cooked in a heavy skillet on the cooktop. Croque Monsieur is basically a ham and cheese sandwich fancied up, and both the kids and parents loved it! Why? It could be the rich and creamy béchamel sauce that’s spooned over the ham. It could be the glorious crust of Gruyere topping the dish. All I know is that it was the class favorite.

I love reading about the origin of recipes, but this one is all over the board, from French factory workers leaving their ham and cheese sandwiches too close to a hot radiator to a French bistro owner having to improvise when he ran out of baguettes for Jambon sandwiches. French cuisine, I’ll admit, can be a bit intimidating. Croque Monsieur might be the dish that opens the door to a whole new cuisine for you and your family!