"If Earth does grow inhospitable toward human presence, it is primarily because we have lost our sense of courtesy toward Earth and its inhabitants."

Ding-dong …

That hurts, doesn’t it? But the more I think about it, the more I also find that perhaps Mother Nature, as any mother, is teaching us a lesson by “punishing” but also giving. Did you find any quality to this new lifestyle?
My own story/theory is that I don’t shop unnecessarily anymore, I am not a shopper anyway but now I can’t even go to the stores and by not going anywhere unless it is mandatory (like the groceries market) I am not filling up my car with fuel every week. Also, I finally looked over the kids’ school curriculum! No comment on this one.
I am sharing quality time with the family and I am not stressed about the day going too fast, we have some time now. One thing I want to do more is making sure my Friends are doing good, pause for a minute, doing it now …
Enough about me, what about you? I feel very much for who is not doing okay. There is not a day that you are not present in my thoughts, whether you are sick, in difficulty with your business or alone. I won’t lie it isn’t all beautiful and happy here either, for now we are all right, but this can’t go on for ever not even for more than half a year but it helps to seek for the bright side, “we must have a pie. Stress cannot exist in the presence of a pie.”

That quote is great but today I want to share the Croque-Monsieur recipe. The pie will be for another time. The name is based on the verb croquer, to bite, to crunch, and the word monsieur mister.
Before you start cooking you need to pair it. What would you say about a Syrah based wine, the Hommage à nos Pairs? It is a full-bodied wine and the bread, cheese and ham in the dish will make a nice combination with it.

For 1 Croque-Monsieur (I usually cook at least two per person)
Light version:
1 toast (you can do it on a toast or a bread slice)
Spread butter on it (all over, don’t miss the corners) or you can choose to spread olive oil
Add a slice of ham on top or you can do a slice of turkey
Add a slice or two of cheese that cover it all up or use shredded cheese (swiss, cheddar, mozzarella what suits your palate best)
Sprinkle salt and pepper
Bake at 380 F for 12-15 minutes

Make a green salad on the side and bon appétit.

Gourmand version :
Choose two toasts (or two bread slices)
Make a béchamel* (white sauce) spread it like you would spread butter on top of the toasts
Add a slice of ham (or turkey) on top of the 1st toast covered with béchamel
Add a slice or two of cheese that cover it all up or use shredded cheese (swiss, cheddar, mozzarella what suits your palate best)
Sprinkle salt and pepper
Close the Croque-Monsieur with the 2nd toast (covered side with the béchamel down) and add on top some béchamel and shredded cheese as a topping.
Bake at 380 F for 12-15 minutes

béchamel*:
To cover up 6 Croque-Monsieur
2 cups milk
1 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
Pinch salt and pepper
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. When it's bubbling, add the flour and whisk until it forms a golden paste, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Whisking constantly, add the milk in a slowly keep mixing. Bring the milk to a gentle simmer and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.
Whisk in a little salt and pepper

Don’t forget the green salad!