Blueberry Lemon Cake

This always has been a favorite of ours.  This recipe is fast and simple.

2 large eggs
1 cup (210 grams) granulated sugar
1 cup (8 oz) sour cream***
1/2 cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour*
2 tsp baking powder

1. Beat 2 eggs and 1 cup sugar with whisk attachment on high speed 5 minutes or until lightened in color and thick.

2. Add 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup oil, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt and whisk on low speed until well combined.

3. Whisk together the 2 cups flour with 2 tsp baking powder then add to batter 1/3 at a time, whisking to incorporate between each addition. Finally, add 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest.

4. Rinse blueberries and drain well. In a medium bowl, toss blueberries with 1/2 Tbsp corn starch and 1 tsp lemon juice, stirring until well combined and no dry white cornstarch remains. If using frozen blueberries, see note above.

5. Pour half of the batter into prepared springform pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Top with half of the blueberries. Spread with remaining batter then sprinkle the rest of the blueberries evenly over the top, pushing them slightly into the batter (about halfway). Bake at 375˚F for 45 to 55 minutes (mine was perfect at 55 min), or until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean without wet batter. Let cake rest in the pan 15-20 minutes then remove ring and cool until room temp or just warm.

natashaskitchen.com

Croque Madame

Its all about the bechamel sauce.
Croque Madame
A NYT recipe 

INGREDIENTS:

5 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon flour
⅔ cup milk
Sea salt
Freshly grated nutmeg
4 1/3-inch-thick slices country bread
4 thin slices French ham
2 thin slices Gruyere cheese
1 egg

PREPARATION:

Preheat a two-sided electric griddle on medium-high to high for about 20 minutes, or preheat the oven to 300 degrees and preheat a cast-iron skillet on top of the stove for about 5 minutes. Prepare a bechamel sauce: in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. When bubbles have subsided, add flour and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil, and cook until thick. Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and nutmeg.
Spread two slices of bread generously with sauce. Lay two slices of ham on top of each, and top each with a slice of cheese; ham and cheese should slightly overlap edges of bread. Top each with a slice of bread.
In a small saucepan, melt remaining the 4 tablespoons butter. Brush the sandwiches on both sides with butter, making sure that the edges are well covered. If you're using a griddle, place cheese side down, close the griddle and cook until the bread is toasted dark and cheese is leaking out and bubbling. If you're using a skillet, place sandwiches cheese side down and cook on stove top until well browned, then turn and brown again. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling. Meanwhile, fry the eggs in a skillet with little butter. Slide one fried egg onto each sandwich. Serve hot.