Did you know that France is home to over 400 different varieties of cheese? In fact, some sources even put the number closer to 1000. That's a lot of fromage! I'm not a huge cheese connoisseur, especially when it comes to anything remotely smelly. I like my cheese smooth, creamy, and mild. My favorite French cheese is Port Salut, a semi-soft pasteurized cheese from Bretagne (Brittany.) Well, I had an idea for a little mélange of cultural cuisines tonight. The kids and I were tired out from our back-to-school schedules, so I turned to my favorite classic American comfort food--grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. It's what my mom often made for me when I was a kid. Miam-miam! As I was preparing my sandwich with good 'ol squares of processed American cheese, I remembered the Port Salut sitting in my fridge. Hmmm . . . American cheese AND Port Salut! It was, indeed, the perfect French twist on a classic American sandwich.
I do hope I have not committed an unpardonable sin by pairing French fromage with processed American--and then relishing every bite. I remember a French acquaintance who was horrified by the mere existence of Cheez Whiz. But, in fact, my grilled fromage sandwich is pretty much symbolic of me . . . a classic American girl with a just touch of French!
Photo Credit: by cohdra at http://morguefile.com/archive/?display=136544
7 comments:
Indeed Diane some French would be horrified w the idea of mixing processed cheese w Port Salut cheese! But eh! We do speak French, enjoy French culture, good wine, great cheese... Yet we live in North America and our lives are hectic! Since we don't have 2 hours for lunch... an old good "american way" grilled cheese w a dill pickle is perfect pour "un déjeuner sur le pouce" and actually GOOD! To top it, why not some traditional Québec "poutine" with it? LOL
À bientôt!
Funny you should mention poutine . . . when I describe it to Americans, many say, "Eww!" But I LOVE poutine! Last time I came across it was in Stratford, Ontario last summer. But nothing beats poutine made with the fresh cheese curds I had outside of Chicoutimi.
Hi Diane,
I'm afraid to admit it, but I love processed Americain cheese to. But I do love almost any hard type of cheese. Actually a favorite sandwich of mine, I actually learned from my aunt. It's a grilled cheese sandwich but with french toast instead. Unbelievable delicious. Try it. -Roy
Bonjour Diane and Lyne, could you explain to a poor lost French girl what poutine is?!!
I love grilled cheese sandwiches, here, in France, I usually add a slice of ham on top of the cheese and then grill the whole thing!
And Diane, I guess that you meant miam, miam instead of maim, maim.
Roy--grilled cheese on French toast . . . OMG I've GOT to try that! I've also had it on Texas Toast with onions & tomatoes.
Isabelle, I answered your question with a post. And yes, I meant Miam-Miam! Boy, I'm getting irritated with myself for these silly mistakes. Merci mille fois :-)
Thank you for the post on poutine, Diane, the video is very interesting and very funny! I wonder if Vladimir Poutine knows about this dish!
As for the spelling mistakes, I must have been a proof reader in a previous life because I can spot them from miles away!
Wiyh a slice of ham, croque-monsieur
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