Croque Monsieur Ham and Cheese Sandwich

Times agone , a French friend of mine introduced me to Croque- Monsieur, the French interpretation of a heated ham and Swiss sandwich.

I flash back it being loaded with adulation and rubbish, and absolutely the most succulent sandwich in the world. My friend was kindly addicted to these sandwiches, and after having one myself I could see why!

Gruyère rubbish and ham just belong together.

So a Croque- Monsieur roughly translates to" Mister Crunchy".

The womanlike interpretation, a" Croque Madame", includes a fried egg on top. This classic French boîte sandwich is a great way to use up leftover ham.

RECIPE : 

Croque Monsieur Ham and Cheese Sandwich

PREPE TIME :                         COOK TIME :                                        TOTAL TIME :

    5 mins                                     20 mins                                                     25 mins

   

SERVINGS :  4 Sandwiches

INGREDIENTS :

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• A pinch each of salt, freshly ground pepper, nutmeg, or more to taste
• 1 1/2 cups Gruyère cheese, grated (about 1 1/2 cups grated)
• 1/4 cup Grated parmesan cheese (packed)
• 8 slices French or Italian loaf bread
• 12 ounces ham, sliced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

METHOD :

1- Preheat oven to 400°F : 

2- Make the béchamel sauce :

Melt butter in a small saucepan on medium/low heat until it just starts to bubble. Add the flour and cook, stirring until smooth, about 2 minutes.

Slowly add the milk, whisking continuously, cooking until thick. Remove from heat. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

Stir in the Parmesan and 1/4 cup of the grated Gruyère. Set aside.

3- Toast bread slices in oven :

Lay out the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the 400°F oven, a few minutes each side, until lightly toasted. For extra flavor you can spread some butter on the bread slices before you toast them if you want.

(Alternatively, you can assemble the sandwiches as follows in step four and grill them on a skillet, finishing them in the broiler with the bechamel sauce.)

4- Build the sandwiches :

Lightly brush half of the toasted slices with mustard. Add the ham slices and about 1 cup of the remaining Gruyère cheese. Top with the other toasted bread slices.

5- Add bechamel, more Gruyere :

Spoon on the béchamel sauce to the tops of the sandwiches. Sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère cheese.

6- Broil till bubbly :

Place on a broiling pan. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then turn on the broiler and broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese topping is bubbly and lightly browned.

If you top this sandwich with a fried egg it becomes a Croque Madame.

NUTRITION FACTS : (PER SERVING)

     582                                       27g                           40g                                       43g

CALORIES                                 FAT                         CARBS                             PROTEINS

Bon appetite !! 

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