JEAN'S CHICKEN CORDON BLEU

The first time I had made this recipe when David and I had gotten married, I was upset when he had his first piece and then poured blue cheese dressing over it.  I thought I had done something wrong in making it.  Speaking with his Mother, I was told the blame falls on David's father.  That is the way he liked it and so does David.  Now David, Michael and Edward all like chicken cordon  bleu with blue cheese dressing over it.  I warm the dressing just a bit before I serve it - just enough to get the cold off of it.  So here are the recipes for the chicken cordon bleu and blue cheese dressing.  You can serve it with dressing or without.

CHICKEN CORDON BLEU

4 chicken breasts, boneless and skin removed
4 thin slices of ham
4 slices Swiss cheese
Seasoning salt (Lawry's, etc)
1 egg, beaten
flour
cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp oil

Place chicken breasts shiny side down, pound with meat tenderizer mallet until thin, flip over and repeat.  Sprinkle seasoning salt on each breast, place 1 slice of ham, then 1 slice Swiss cheese on each being careful to leave an edge of chicken.  Starting at the narrow end, carefully roll up chicken and stretch meat on sides to cover.  Place in pan (seam side down) and refrigerate for 10 minutes.  While waiting prepare 3 bowls; one with beaten egg, one with flour, and one with cracker crumbs.  Take breasts out of refrigerator and roll in flour, then egg, then crumbs.  Return to refrigerator for 10 minutes to set breading.  Remove from refrigerator and brown outside by frying on top of stove in 2 Tbsp hot oil.  Finally bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until cheese starts melting on cookie sheet/pan.

BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

3/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup half and half

Reserve 1/2 cup blue cheese.  Beat remaining blue cheese and cream cheese on low speed.  Add mayonnaise and half and half; beat on medium speed until creamy.  Stir in reserved blue cheese.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.  Makes about 1 2/3 cups dressing.