Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Paris with this classic French Croque-Monsieur recipe. A bistro favorite, the Croque-Monsieur is a luxurious twist on the humble grilled cheese sandwich. Layered with creamy béchamel sauce, melted Gruyère cheese, and ham, all embraced by golden-toasted bread, this dish is a simple yet sophisticated delight that will transport your taste buds to a quaint café on the Champs-Élysées. Perfect for a cozy lunch or a savory treat, let’s master the art of making the perfect Croque-Monsieur.
Classic French Croque-Monsieur
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of white bread, preferably day-old
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of whole milk
- A pinch of ground nutmeg
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 slices of cooked ham
- 1 cup of grated Gruyère cheese
- Dijon mustard
Instructions:
- Start by making the béchamel sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, constantly stirring, until the sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Spread each slice of bread with a thin layer of Dijon mustard. Place a slice of ham on top of the mustard, followed by a generous sprinkle of Gruyère.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Butter the outer sides of each sandwich and cook until the bread is golden brown and the cheese begins to melt.
- Preheat your broiler. Spread a layer of béchamel on top of the sandwiches and sprinkle with more Gruyère cheese.
- Broil the Croque-Monsieur until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
- Serve hot and enjoy your homemade slice of French culinary tradition!