Croque Monsieur Two Ways - Easy

I am in CA again helping theDaughter during yet another chemo round (she's holding her own, thanks for all your good thinkings and prayers, BTW).  This time I have limited computer access, so posts have been greatly reduced.

So, on with the show.

One of the great things about the French language is that anything said in French sounds wonderfully romantic.  as a result, the first time I heard the term Croque Monsieur,  I thought it was a very fancy-schmancy food of love that takes hours to make but would make your favorite swain swoon in delight.

Dear Reader, turns out it's just a grilled cheese sandwich.

Now, doesn't it sound sooo much more exotic and romantic calling it Croque Monsieur instead of its English translation Mister Crunchy?

The origins of Mister Crunchy Croque Monsieur are lost in time, but food history sites all agree that it first popped up on French menus around 1910.  Most of the time it's a treif grilled ham & cheese sandwich, but there are many variations that omit dead animals.

One that I managed to stumble over (while searching for something else, 'natch)  is a version from West Country Farmhouse.  It combines cheddar from a small independent farm and cranberry jelly for a simple, yet gourmet, grown-up lunch.

TheDaughter wasn't interested in fine gourmet food.  She wanted simple comfort food.  As in the standard plastic American cheese grilled cheese.

Hey, at least she's attempting food.  When I was in her flip-flops, I felt pretty much the same way. 

Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Easy
Serves 1

1/2 - 1 Tbl. unsalted butter
2 slices white bread (enriched preferred)
2 slices American cheese
1 Tbl. ketchup (very optional)

Heat small frying or saute pan over medium heat.  When hot, add butter (use 1/2 Tablespoon if non-stick for flavor, otherwise use the whole Tablespoon). Doesn't this look a bit like a 'droid? Come on, use your imagination.  A lot ...

When butter has melted and starts to bubble, spread it around pan with spatula, then plop in one slice of bread.

Top with both slices of cheese.  I like to spread out the slices a bit.

Followed by other slice of out of focus bread.  

Butter is really working now!

Lift up one corner to check if browned to your liking.  Then flip sandwich and continue to cook for another minute, or until browned, yet again, to your liking.

Transfer sandwich to plate.  If desired, but into cute sqaures or triangles.  Serve hot, with ketchup, if desired, on the side.