Croque Monsieur

By Leslie Blythe  , , ,   ,

February 1, 2016

The Croque Monsieur is a baked or grilled ham and cheese sandwich that is served in many French cafés and bistros. Traditionally made with Brioche-like bread, or with normal butter bread, but with a soft crust, slathered with bechamel sauce and topped with grated cheese. Croque Monsieur is translated as "crunch sir."

  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 20 mins
  • Yields: 2 Sandwiches

Ingredients

Bechamel Sauce

5 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon flour

⅔ cup milk

Sea salt

Freshly grated nutmeg

Sandwich

Dijon mustard

4 thick slices country bread (not sourdough or whole wheat)

4 thin slices French ham

2 thin slices Gruyere cheese

Directions

1Preheat 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.

Bechamel Sauce

1In 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.

Sandwich

1Lightly brush half the toasted breads with mustard, then 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.

2In 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. Serve hot.

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