Croque Monsieur Sandwich
User Reviews
5
Croque Monsieur Sandwich
Description
This Croque Monsieur combines white sandwich bread slices layered with slices or shredded ham and grated gruyere cheese. A béchamel sauce, prepared with milk simmered alongside an onion pierced with cloves, bay leaf, and thyme, thickened with flour and butter, adds creamy moisture and flavor. The béchamel coats the bread and fillings thoroughly.
Baked at 400°F, the sandwich crisps at the edges while the cheese melts and browns on top. The sauce imparts subtle spice and richness, balancing the saltiness of the ham and the nuttiness of the gruyere. This technique results in a tender, creamy interior and a golden crust.
Served warm, the Croque Monsieur makes for a comforting lunch or snack. Its balanced flavors and textures cater to those who enjoy classic, rich sandwiches with a French touch.
Ingredients
- 24 lices white sandwich bread
- 24 lices ham sliced or about 3 cups shredded
- 12 oz gruyere cheese grated
- 2 cups milk full fat
- 1/2 onion
- 5 clove whole
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch ground white pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 prig thyme
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 4 tbsp butter unsalted
- salt pinch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F
For the Béchamel:
- Make an onion piquet by piercing the cloves into a half an onion. Then add it to a pot over low heat with the butter to melt. Let the onion sweat with the butter a few minutes.
- Then add the milk, the spices, bay leaf and the sprig of thyme and bring to a low simmer.
- When the milk simmers, remove the herbs and the onion, and discard. Then, add the flour and whisk rapidly to avoid lumping. Whisk until the sauce thickens and coats the back of the spoon.
Assembling the Sandwiches:
- Layer half of the bread on a sheet or roasting pan.
- Add a thin layer of béchamel to the bread (spread it like butter with a spatula). Then arrange the ham, then the cheese, ladle in some more of the béchamel on top of the cheese, and then top with the second slice of bread. Finish with another generous layer of cheese on top and bake until the cheese is melted and golden.
Bom Apetite!
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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