< From My Family to Yours

Croque Monsieur

Serves 2

Submited by Rose Poirier

About the Recipe

This is a recipe that my mother used to make when I was living in Paris, and she would typically cook it over the holidays. It was given to her by my grandmother, Ursula. Although I don’t remember watching my mom make this recipe because it was a long time ago, I do remember having it with my brother or sister. It was my brother's favorite meal! He was in the military so my mom would make it for him when he came back from deployment. Today, I only make it for special occasions and people enjoy it because it is so different. 

Ingredients

  • 4 slices white or brioche bread 
  • 2 slices ham 
  • 4 slices Gruyere cheese 
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 
  • 2 tablespoons flour 
  • 1¼ cup warm milk 
  • Salt (to taste) 
  • Pepper (to taste) 
  • Nutmeg (to taste)

Directions

Béchamel Sauce 

  1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly until the paste bubbles a bit. 
  2. Add in the milk and continue to stir until the sauce thickens. Bring to a boil. Add salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. 
  3. Lower the heat and allow to cook for 2 to 3 minutes while continuing to stir. 
  4. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool for later use, cover it with wax paper.

Croque Monsieur

  1. On a slice of white or brioche bread, place a slice of Gruyere cheese. Trim the cheese along the edge of the bread slice. 
  2. Place a slice of ham, then another slice of Gruyere cheese. 
  3. Cover with a second slice of white or brioche bread. 
  4. Place the Croque Monsieur on a non-stick baking sheet. 
  5. Coat the sandwiches with hot Béchamel Sauce and sprinkle some grated Gruyere cheese on top. 
  6. Brown under the broiler of your oven until surface is golden brown. 
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