Hey there, foodies! 👋
Today, I’m bringing you a slice of Parisian heaven right to your kitchen. Get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food: the Croque Madame! This fancy French grilled cheese sandwich is like a warm hug on a plate, and trust me, it’s easier to make than you might think.
🥪 What’s a Croque Madame, you ask?
Imagine a hot ham and cheese sandwich, smothered in creamy béchamel sauce, topped with a perfectly fried egg. Sounds amazing, right? That’s a Croque Madame for you! It’s the dressed-up sister of the classic Croque Monsieur (just lose the egg for that one).
Let’s dive into this cheesy goodness!
Ingredients (serves 2):
- 4 slices of thick white bread
- 4 slices of good quality ham
- 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 cup milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Dijon mustard (optional, but recommended!)
Instructions:
- First, let’s make that dreamy béchamel sauce. Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a saucepan, add the flour, and whisk for about a minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Add a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer until it thickens, then set aside.
- Now, assemble your sandwiches. Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on each slice of bread (if using). Layer ham and half of the Gruyère cheese between two slices of bread.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and melt the remaining butter. Toast the sandwiches until golden brown on both sides.
- Here comes the fancy part! Place the toasted sandwiches on a baking sheet. Spoon the béchamel sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
- Pop these beauties under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- While your sandwiches are getting their tan on, fry up two eggs sunny-side up.
- Once your sandwiches are out of the broiler, top each with a fried egg.
Voilà! Your Croque Madame is ready to be devoured. 🍽️
Pro tip: Serve with a crisp green salad on the side to balance out all that richness. And maybe a glass of white wine if you’re feeling extra fancy! 🍷
Have you tried making Croque Madame before? Let me know in the comments how it turned out!
Bon appétit, mes amis! 💋