Ham and Cheese Croque Monsieur

Description:
A French café classic, the Croque Monsieur is a warm, rich, and indulgent grilled ham and cheese sandwich topped with creamy béchamel sauce and melted cheese. Perfect for a calorie-dense, satisfying meal.

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🕒 Total Time: 15 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 1

🔥 Calories per serving: ~540 kcal

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Sandwich:

• 2 slices of white bread or brioche
• 2 slices of ham (preferably Parisian or smoked)
• 2 slices of Gruyère cheese (or Emmental, Swiss)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 tablespoon butter (for toasting)

For the Béchamel Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup whole milk (warm)
• A pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons grated Gruyère cheese (for topping)

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🍳 Instructions

1. Prepare the Béchamel Sauce:

1. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
3. Gradually pour in the warm milk while whisking constantly until smooth and thickened.
4. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg if using. Set aside.

2. Assemble the Sandwich:

1. Spread Dijon mustard on one or both slices of bread (optional).
2. Layer with ham and cheese between the bread slices.
3. Spread a thin layer of béchamel sauce on top of the sandwich.
4. Sprinkle the grated cheese over the sauce.

3. Cook:

1. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Place the sandwich in the pan, béchamel side up (you can also place a lid over the pan to help the cheese melt).
3. Toast the bottom for about 3–4 minutes until golden.
4. Transfer the sandwich to a baking tray and broil (or place under a hot grill) for 2–3 minutes until the top cheese is bubbling and golden.

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✅ Serve:

Serve hot, ideally with a small green salad or a fried egg on top (to turn it into a Croque Madame).

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💡 Tips:

• For even more calories: use thick-cut bread, add extra cheese inside, or top with another layer of béchamel.
• You can substitute cheddar or mozzarella if Gruyère isn’t available, though authentic flavor may differ.
• Make two at once and store the second in the fridge for up to 1 day (reheat in oven).