Teresa's Recipes
Croque Monsieur
Indulge in the rich flavors of the classic French Croque Monsieur, a delightful sandwich that marries the savory goodness of ham with the creamy allure of Gruyère cheese. Topped with a luscious béchamel sauce and baked to golden perfection, this dish is a true testament to French culinary artistry. Traditionally enjoyed as a snack or light meal, the Croque Monsieur has its roots in Parisian cafés and is perfect for brunch or a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons, divided Unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Milk
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
- 4 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 8 slices White bread
- 8 ounces Sliced ham
- 1 cup Gruyère cheese, grated
Dietary Notes
- Servings: 4
- Dish Type: Sandwich
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 36g
- Carbs: 42g
- Protein: 25g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Sugar: 3g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute until it forms a smooth paste (roux).
- Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the nutmeg, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup of the grated Gruyère cheese until smooth.
- Spread the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter evenly on one side of each slice of bread. On the unbuttered side of 4 slices, spread Dijon mustard. Layer on the sliced ham and top with the remaining Gruyère cheese. Cover with the other 4 slices of bread, butter side up.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the sandwiches and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. You may need to press down gently with a spatula for even toasting.
- Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet. Generously spread the béchamel sauce over the tops of the sandwiches and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyère cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. For extra crispiness, you can broil for an additional 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
- Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Tips
- For a twist, try adding sautéed mushrooms or spinach for added flavor and nutrition.
- You can substitute the Gruyère cheese with Emmental or Comté for a different taste experience.
- For a Croque Madame, simply top the sandwich with a fried or poached egg before serving.