CROQUE-MONSIEUR
While French restaurant and country cooking have been thoroughly examined by American home cooks, somewhere between the two styles lies a branch of cuisine that has been almost entirely missed: France's bar and cafe food. This is the realm of snacks like tartines and rillettes, salads and savory tarts, and one of most delicious of all: the croque-monsieur (literally translated as "crunch sir.") Good croque-monsieurs have a few things in common: a single layer of French ham and Gruyere pressed between two thin slices of bread. Some, like this one, are filled and topped with béchamel, which makes the whole thing creamier and better. The bread is brushed with butter, and the sandwich is cooked on a griddle or toasted under a broiler so that the cheese almost liquefies and the bits of ham and cheese hanging out the side fall limp and caramelize. It should be rich, substantial and salty, so you will reach for a glass of wine or beer between bites.
Provided by Amanda Hesser
Categories dinner, lunch, quick, sandwiches, main course
Time 20m
Yield 2 sandwiches
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat a two-sided electric griddle on medium-high to high for about 20 minutes, or preheat the oven to 300 degrees and preheat a cast-iron skillet on top of the stove for about 5 minutes. Prepare a bechamel sauce: in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon butter. When bubbles have subsided, add flour and whisk vigorously for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil, and cook until thick. Remove from heat, and season to taste with salt and nutmeg.
- Spread two slices of bread generously with sauce. Lay two slices of ham on top of each, and top each with a slice of cheese; ham and cheese should slightly overlap edges of bread. Top each with a slice of bread.
- In a small saucepan, melt remaining the 4 tablespoons butter. Brush the sandwiches on both sides with butter, making sure that the edges are well covered. If you're using a griddle, place cheese side down, close the griddle and cook until the bread is toasted dark and cheese is leaking out and bubbling. If you're using a skillet, place sandwiches cheese side down and cook on stove top until well browned, then turn and brown again. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake until heated through and cheese is bubbling. Serve hot.
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zakka Abraham
[email protected]I made this recipe for my family and they loved it! The Croque Monsieur was cheesy, gooey, and delicious. The bread was crispy and the béchamel sauce was creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again!
Abdu_rehman
[email protected]This recipe was a bit more work than I expected, but it was worth it. The Croque Monsieur was delicious! The béchamel sauce was especially good. I will definitely be making this again, but maybe for a special occasion.
Manju Gurung
[email protected]This was my first time making Croque Monsieur and it turned out great! The instructions were easy to follow and the dish was ready in no time. I used Gruyère cheese and it melted perfectly. I will definitely be making this again!
Khadar Ahmed
[email protected]I made this recipe for my friends and they raved about it! The Croque Monsieur was cheesy, gooey, and delicious. The bread was crispy and the béchamel sauce was creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again!
Payton Eli
[email protected]I've been looking for a good Croque Monsieur recipe and this one is it! The béchamel sauce was smooth and creamy, and the cheese melted perfectly. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will definitely be making this again!
Nisar Ali Solangi
[email protected]This Croque Monsieur recipe was delicious! The béchamel sauce was smooth and creamy, and the cheese melted perfectly. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will definitely be making this again!
Khyrei Clyburn
[email protected]This was a great recipe! The Croque Monsieur was easy to make and it turned out perfect. The cheese was melted and gooey, and the bread was crispy. I will definitely be making this again!
Touhidul Alom
[email protected]I made this recipe for my family and they loved it! The Croque Monsieur was cheesy, gooey, and delicious. The bread was crispy and the béchamel sauce was creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again!
I'M SOJIB GAMING YT
[email protected]This recipe was a bit more work than I expected, but it was worth it. The Croque Monsieur was delicious! The béchamel sauce was especially good. I will definitely be making this again, but maybe for a special occasion.
Murad Sarker
[email protected]This was my first time making Croque Monsieur and it turned out great! The instructions were easy to follow and the dish was ready in no time. I used Gruyère cheese and it melted perfectly. I will definitely be making this again!
Ahmed Basheer
[email protected]I made this recipe for my friends and they raved about it! The Croque Monsieur was cheesy, gooey, and delicious. The bread was crispy and the béchamel sauce was creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again!
Ahmad Moussawel
[email protected]I've been looking for a good Croque Monsieur recipe and this one is it! The béchamel sauce was smooth and creamy, and the cheese melted perfectly. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will definitely be making this again!
N MY LOVE
[email protected]This was a great recipe! The Croque Monsieur was easy to make and it turned out perfect. The cheese was melted and gooey, and the bread was crispy. I will definitely be making this again!
Peter Okoye
[email protected]I made this recipe for my family and they loved it! The Croque Monsieur was cheesy, gooey, and delicious. The bread was crispy and the béchamel sauce was creamy and flavorful. I will definitely be making this again!
Natan suraphel
[email protected]This recipe was a bit more work than I expected, but it was worth it. The Croque Monsieur was delicious! The béchamel sauce was especially good. I will definitely be making this again, but maybe for a special occasion.
charity daniel
[email protected]This was my first time making Croque Monsieur and it turned out great! The instructions were easy to follow and the dish was ready in no time. I used Gruyère cheese and it melted perfectly. I will definitely be making this again!
Makenli Cromwell
[email protected]I've made this recipe several times now and it's always a crowd-pleaser. The ham and cheese are a classic combination, and the béchamel sauce adds a touch of richness. I like to serve it with a side of fruit or salad.
Emma Pontsho
[email protected]This Croque Monsieur recipe was a hit! The béchamel sauce was smooth and creamy, and the cheese melted perfectly. The bread was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I will definitely be making this again!