DON'T MESS WITH MY TURKEY!

I’m standing in line at the grocery store and I’m looking at all the magazines advertising “fresh , new, exotic” ways to do Thanksgiving dinner. And while they all look absolutely amazing and mouth watering ,the only thing running through my mind is “ Do these people have families? Seriously…what would Nana do if instead of her Traditional Turkey and stuffing with Bells Seasoning (a family tradition for like 100 years that she carefully passed on to you and your mother) you presented her with a spread of  Orange Salted Pineapple Roast Turkey with a Wild Mushroom Spinach and Oyster Stuffing and Curried Sweet Potato casserole?” She would immediately call the family attorney and have you written out of the will!( *Unless you’re looking to get out from having Thanksgiving at your house FOREVER then go right on ahead and mess with tradition! J )Thanksgiving is the one time of year to eat Turkey and lots of it!…In the over 50 people I polled and asked 48 all said “don’t not mess with it! “ So if you want to try out a new turkey recipe ..try it in February when you have nothing better to do and you are not in danger of crushing month long dreams and cravings for Nanas turkey stuffing and mashed potatoes! PLAIN just the way we like it!

So today I offer you not another Turkey dish that you will NOT make on Thanksgiving but a little gourmet treasure to have around the house this weekend after the left overs have been riffled through and picked at until there is that one  piece of dried out turkey sitting alone on the huge platter in the middle of the fridge half wrapped in saran wrap because someone couldn’t be bothered to take the time to properly wrap it ….the final sign that turkey and Thanksgiving dinner and all it’s glory has run it’s course! (lol)

This weeks recipe couldn’t be further from turkey dinner!! This is my version of a Croque Tartiflette (basically a French ham potato and cheese sandwich). Perfect for the cold damp weather. Totally inexpensive and utterly mouth watering! I tweaked the Béchamel sauce just a bit and added some white wine cayenne pepper nutmeg bay leafs and rosemary ham for a more layered flavor. The ingredients are super inexpensive they should run you $10 for everything and this serves 4!!The final result is your new week before Thanksgiving tradition! If you are looking for a phenomenal brunch idea make my Croque Tartiflette and serve topped with a poached egg!J

Thanksgiving Week Croque Tartifillet

Prep : 15 min Cook: 10 min Total: 25 min

Ingredients:

·         2 tablespoons mustard (spicy dijon)

·         8 tablespoons Béchamel sauce(see below)

·         8 slices sandwich bread

·         4 ounces Deli sliced Rosemary ham

·         8 thin slices cooked red-skinned potatoes (about 2 potatos)

·         8 slices swiss cheese

·         4 tablespoons butter, softened

Preheat the broiler to the lowest heat setting. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce and set aside. On a cookie sheet divide and spread the mustard on 4 slices of bread. Place a few slices of ham, followed by 2 slices of potatoes, 2 slices cheese, and 1 tablespoon of Béchamel on the mustard-side of the bread. Cover the cheese with the remaining slices of bread and spread the butter on the outside surfaces of the sandwiches.
Place the sandwiches under the broiler for about 5 minutes, turn them over, and continue cooking until they are crispy and golden brown, about 5 additional minutes. Spread the top of the sandwich with 1 tablespoon Béchamel and serve while hot.
This recipe makes 4 sandwiches.

               *(Jade’s Béchamel Sauce)

Over low heat  in a sauce pan melt 5 tbsp. butter .Stir in 2 tbsp. flour till thick. Add 1 tbsp. finely diced shallots, a bay leaf, 1/8 tsp. cayenne, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg, ½ cup white wine and 1 cup cream and stir. Continue to stir until sauce thickens then remove from heat.