Ah yes đ„Șâš â the Croque Monsieur is a classic French ham and cheese sandwich, baked or grilled with creamy bĂ©chamel sauce and a golden, bubbly top. Basically a grown-up grilled cheese thatâs fancy enough for a cafĂ© in Paris.
đ„Ș Croque Monsieur
Ingredients (Serves 2)
Sandwich
- 4 slices of white or country-style bread
- 2â3 oz sliced ham (preferably smoked)
- 1 cup grated GruyĂšre cheese (reserve a little for topping)
- 1â2 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for spreading on bread)
BĂ©chamel Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- Ÿ cup milk, warmed
- Pinch of nutmeg (optional)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Make BĂ©chamel Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Stir in flour and cook 1â2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly whisk in warm milk until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg.
2. Assemble Sandwiches
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Optional: Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on bread slices.
- Layer ham and half of the GruyĂšre between two slices of bread.
- Place sandwiches on a baking sheet.
3. Add Sauce & Cheese
- Pour or spoon béchamel sauce over the top of each sandwich.
- Sprinkle remaining GruyÚre over the béchamel.
4. Bake
- Bake 10â15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Optional: Broil 1â2 minutes at the end for extra bubbly, browned top.
5. Serve
- Serve hot, cut diagonally, with a simple green salad.
đ„ Tips & Variations
- Croque Madame: Top with a fried or poached egg for a Croque Madame.
- Cheese swap: Swiss, Emmental, or ComtĂ© work well if you donât have GruyĂšre.
- Add herbs: Sprinkle finely chopped thyme or parsley over the top before baking.
- Make-ahead: Assemble sandwiches and refrigerate; bake when ready to eat.
If you want, I can also give a âultra-creamy, cafĂ©-style Croque Monsieurâ version where the bĂ©chamel is richer, the cheese is gooey, and the sandwich is golden perfection đ.
Do you want me to do that version?
