Croque Monsieur

A taste of France… from Home!

7

A French Twist

Known as a jaffle in Australia, a toastie in the UK, and a grilled sandwitch in the USA, this classic meal is also popular in France — but with a twist: bechamel sauce.

Although traditionally filled with ham and Gruyere cheese, many variations have appeared around France and include chicken, smoked salmon, tomato or potato. A popular variation called croque madame is made with the same fillings but is topped with a fried egg.

Prep Time: 5min

Cook Time: 25min

Total Time: 30min

Serves: 1

Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • ½ Tablespoon flour
  • ⅓ cup milk
  • a pinch of nutmeg
  • 2 thick slices of bread
  • a couple slices of quality ham
    Ideally use French ham or Paris ham, which is wet-cured, unsmoked, but fully cooked
  • a slice of Gruyere cheese
    If you can’t fine Gruyere cheese, try Comte, Fontina Val d’Aosta, Jarlsberg or Swiss Emmental

Method

Step 1
Preheat a two-sided electric grill on medium-high to high for about 20 minutes, or preheat the oven to 150 degrees celsius (or 300 fahrenheit) and preheat a cast-iron skillet on top of the stove for about 5 minutes.

Step 2
Bechamel sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ tablespoon butter.

Step 3
Bechamel sauce: Add flour into the saucepan and whisk vigorously for 1 minute.

Step 4
Bechamel sauce: Slowly whisk the milk into the saucepan until smooth. Bring to a boil, and cook until thick. Remove from heat, add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5
Bechamel sauce: Remove sauce from heat, add nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste.

TIP: MAKE AHEAD
The bechemel sauce can be made in advance. No need to reheat as we’ll cook it with the bread next.

Step 6
Spread two slices of bread generously with bechemel sauce. Lay ham and cheese ontop of one; then cover with the second slice of bread.

Step 7
In a small saucepan, melt remaining the 1 ½ tablespoons butter. Brush the sandwiches on both sides with butter, making sure that the edges are well covered.

Step 8
If you’re using a two-sided grill, place cheese-side down, close the grill and cook until the bread is toasted dark and cheese is leaking out and bubbling.
If you’re using a skillet, place sandwich 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.

Step 9
Enjoy! If you want, top with a fired egg to turn into a croque madame.