The CROQUE MONSIEUR is one of those dishes that smell of a Parisian bistro and slow breakfasts, when time seems to stand still between butter sizzling in the pan and cheese melting slowly. Iconic and irresistible, this gratinated sandwich is an enduring classic of French cuisine: simple in ingredients, yet capable of delivering an explosion of flavor that wins you over at the first bite.
Layers of soft bread, spread with a silky béchamel, welcome thin slices of cooked ham and a generous layer of Gruyère or Emmental cheese, ready to melt until golden and stringy. A short gratin in the oven creates a crispy, fragrant surface while the inside remains creamy and enveloping.
Perfect for a hearty brunch, a quick but special lunch or a comforting dinner that lifts the mood, the Croque Monsieur brings the elegance of French tradition to the table in just a few simple steps.
A recipe to note down and make again whenever you crave something indulgent, quick and irresistibly chic.
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- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Cooking time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 4 servings
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: French
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 8 slices sliced white bread (sandwich loaf)
- 7 oz cooked ham
- 8 slices Gruyère (or Emmental)
- 1 cup Gruyère (or Emmental), shredded into strips
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour (type 00)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Tools
- 2 Small saucepans
- 1 Whisk
- Parchment paper
Steps
The preparation of the CROQUE MONSIEUR is very simple and quick.
Place the milk in a small saucepan with a pinch of salt and a grating of black pepper and heat it.
Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat without letting it brown. As soon as it has melted, add the flour all at once and stir for about 2 minutes with a whisk or wooden spoon. Gradually pour in the warm milk, continuing to stir until you obtain a smooth, fairly thick sauce. Remove from the heat, add the Dijon mustard and incorporate it.
Preheat the oven to 392°F (conventional).
Cut the ham slices to the same size as the bread. Arrange half of the slices of sandwich bread side by side on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread each slice with some béchamel, then place a slice of cheese, a slice of ham and another slice of cheese on top.
Cover with the remaining bread slices.
Spread the remaining béchamel on top of the croque monsieur and sprinkle with the grated cheese.
Place in the oven and bake the croque-monsieur for about 10 minutes or until a golden, crispy crust forms on the surface.
Plate and enjoy this French-made delight hot.
STORAGE
You can prepare the croque monsieur in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freeze them; when ready to eat, pop them directly into the oven.
