A Croque Monsieur is a sandwich that is in most cafes, bistros and brasseries in Paris. If you haven’t had one, put this on your bucket list! It is a mind-altering, glorious, best you’ve EVER had, “ham sandwich”! Yes, it’s decadent, but you have to have one at least once! Slices of baked ham are piled on Brioche bread with creamy Gruyere cheese, the top of the bread is slathered with bechamel sauce and more Gruyere and then broiled, it really is outrageous! And….it’s quick and easy!
Ingredients
Make 2 large sandwiches
Bechamel sauce:
- 2 Tbs of butter
- 2 Tbs of flour
- 3/4 cup of milk
- 1 Tbs of Dijon mustard
- dash of salt
- dash of fresh
- dash of ground nutmeg
Sandwichs: - 8 slices of Virginia baked ham
- 1/4 lb of Gruyere cheese, sliced
- 4 slices of bread, may use french or brioche or any white sandwich bread
- salt and pepper, or Herbs de provence to sprinkle on finished sandwiches
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425°
Start by making the bechamel sauce: In a small saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter, stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute until well combined. Then slowly add in the milk, stirring until smooth and thickened. Remove from the heat and stir in the Dijon, a dash of salt and the nutmeg.
Place the bread slices on a parchment lined baking sheet, divide the bechamel between the 4 slices of bread and spread it on all the way to the edges. Place 4 slices of ham on two of the bread slices and then add half of the Gruyere right on top of the ham. Put the top on the sandwiches, bechamel side up, then top with the remaining cheese.
Now, just pop in the oven and bake for 12 – 15 minutes, then turn off the oven and turn on the broiler and broil until golden brown, just for a few minutes. As soon as you remove them from the broiler, sprinkle on a little salt or some herbs de provence. Don’t you feel very French! Bon Appetit!
