French Croque Monsieur (Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich)

Name: French Croque Monsieur (Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 4 slices White bread (brioche or good quality sandwich bread); 100 g Cooked ham; 150 g Gruyère or Emmental cheese, grated; 40 g Unsalted butter; 20 g All-purpose flour; 200 ml Whole milk; 2 tsp Dijon mustard; null pinch Nutmeg, freshly grated; null to taste Salt; null to taste Freshly ground black pepper

Difficulty

easy

Time

30m

Price Category

average

Calories

High

The Croque Monsieur is a classic French grilled sandwich, made special by its simplicity and irresistible taste. It's prepared with creamy béchamel sauce, delicious ham, and melting cheese, then baked until golden brown. It's a perfect choice for a quick lunch, brunch, or even a light dinner. Prepare this iconic dish at home and enjoy the flavors of French cuisine!

Steps

Béchamel Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt 20g of butter over medium heat. Add the flour and stir for 1-2 minutes until you have a light roux. Gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until thickened (about 5-7 minutes), then remove from heat. Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste. Keep warm.

Assemble Sandwiches

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C for fan-assisted ovens). Lightly spread Dijon mustard on one side of each bread slice. On one side, spread a layer of béchamel sauce, then add 2 slices of ham and a portion of grated cheese (about 50g). Cover with another slice of bread, also spread with mustard and béchamel.

Cook and Bake

In a frying pan, melt 20g of butter over medium heat. Fry the sandwiches on both sides until golden brown (about 2-3 minutes per side). Then, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the remaining béchamel sauce on top of the sandwiches and sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese (about 50g). Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown. Serve immediately.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 280g
Calories	320 kcal	896 kcal
Protein	18g	50g
Fat	22g	62g
Carbohydrate	12g	34g
Fiber	1g	3g
Sugar	2g	6g

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French Croque Monsieur (Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich)

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Béchamel Sauce

Assemble Sandwiches

Cook and Bake

Extra Tips

► The secret to a perfect Croque Monsieur lies in high-quality ingredients, especially the bread and cheese.

► For an even richer flavor, try the Croque Madame version by adding a fried egg on top.

► You can prepare the béchamel sauce in advance; it keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days, making the sandwich even quicker to assemble.

Nutrition