Perfect Croque Monsieur and Madame
The perfect Croque Monsieur or Croque Madame is a simple creation. However, if you try to order one in an American restaurant, you’ll likely receive quizzical look. Not so if you ordered a grilled cheese sandwich. Croque Monsieur, literally translated as “crunch sir” is somewhat of a French grilled cheese sandwich. However, it is so much more. Add a fried egg on top and you have a Croque Madame!
Ingredients
Béchamel Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 cup milk heated
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
Croques
- 4 thin slices of white bread
- 8 ounces thinly sliced ham
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Gruyère cheese
- Fried eggs for Croque Madame
Instructions
- Béchamel Sauce: Melt butter in small saucepan. Whisk in flour. Allow to cook for about a minute, ensuring that the flour does not brown.
- Slowly whisk in hot milk. Whisk constantly until thickened. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Croques: Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Lightly toast bread.
- Place half of ham on one slice of toasted bread.
- Spread 1-½ to 2 Tablespoons of Béchamel Sauce on ham. Top with half of Gruyère cheese.
- Repeat with remaining slices of toasted bread.
- Bake at 375° F for 15 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and ingredients are heated through.
- Increase oven temperature to broil. Broil for several minutes until top is golden brown.
- For Croque Madame, top with fried egg.
- Yield: 4 servings.
Nutrition
Calories: 510kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 31gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 1071mgPotassium: 313mgSugar: 5gVitamin A: 720IUCalcium: 565mgIron: 1.7mg
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