Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur is a classic French hot sandwich made with bread, ham, melted cheese, and creamy béchamel sauce. Toasted until golden and bubbly, this delicious sandwich is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Serve it warm with a fresh salad or crispy fries for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- - 8 slices of white bread
- - 4 slices of ham
- - 4 slices of Gruyère cheese or Swiss cheese
- - 2 tablespoons butter softened
- - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- - 1 cup milk
- - ½ cup grated Gruyère cheese
- - ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard optional
- - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional
- - Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the béchamel sauce: Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for about 1 minute.
- Gradually pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Cook for 3–5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. Remove from the heat.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on four slices of bread. Add a slice of ham and a slice of Gruyère cheese to each, then cover with the remaining bread slices.
- Spread the remaining butter over the outside of the sandwiches.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and toast the sandwiches for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Add the topping: Place the sandwiches on a baking tray. Spread the remaining béchamel sauce over the tops and sprinkle with grated Gruyère cheese.
- Place under a preheated oven grill (broiler) for 2–4 minutes, or until the cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Allow to cool slightly, slice in half, and serve warm.