French Ham Dijon And Cornichon Canapes With Fresh Thyme Food

FRENCH HAM, DIJON AND CORNICHON CANAPES WITH FRESH THYME

Steps:

• Butter the bread and top each slice with ham. Using a very sharp knife, cut off the crusts. Cut the sandwiches in half diagonally to create 2 triangles and then in half again diagonally, creating a total of 4 triangles per slice.
• Top each triangle with a tiny dollop of mustard and a cornichon slice, and add a tiny sprig of fresh thyme.

MONIQUE'S CORNICHONS

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss the cornichons with the salt. Turn them out into a tea towel, gather the towel by the four corners and hang it from the faucet over the sink, for 2 hours. Alternatively, set the cornichons in their towel in a strainer in the sink.
• Place the tarragon in a quart jar, then evenly layer the cornichons with the garlic, onions, and the other herbs, until they reach about 1/2-inch below the top of the jar. Bring the vinegar to a boil and pour it over the ingredients in the jar, making sure to cover them, and leaving about 1/2-inch headroom in the jar. Seal the jar, and place it in a cool, dark spot for three weeks, before opening.

HAM AND CHEESE CROQUE WITH DIJON

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400. Lay bread slices on a work surface. Lightly butter 3 slices and place butter-side-down on a baking sheet. Now spread them lightly with mustard.
• Distribute half the cheese over the mustard. Top each of the slices of cheese-covered bread with 2 slices prosciutto and cover each evenly with more grated cheese, reserving 1/4 cup cheese for final topping.
• Lay on the remaining 3 bread slices and press down gently. Spread each top slice with about 3 tablespoons béchamel. Sprinkle with reserved cheese.
• Bake until browned and bubbling on top, about 10 minutes. To serve, cut each sandwich in half diagonally or vertically to make 6 small sandwiches. Sprinkle with thyme and chives. Cut off crusts if desired. May also be cut into bite-size pieces.