This easy French bistro classic is the kind of recipe that requires a little more effort but oh man, is it worth it! There is no sandwich simpler than the humble ham and cheese. But then the French took it up a notch by making it even more glorious. Topping the sandwich with a generous spoonful of creamy bechamel sauce turns a simple sandwich into a masterpiece and then you add a soft fried egg and you have happiness. Because it is such a simple sandwich it’s important you use the very best ingredients you can afford. Good, crusty bread (baguette or sourdough ideally but ciabatta will also work), good ham (I used Gypsy ham) and nutty Gruyère Cheese are all necessary. You can absolutely leave it at that, making this a Croque Monsieur, but adding a perfectly cooked egg on top is definitely the way to go.
Ingredients needed
Bread. I used ciabatta but sourdough, country bread or thick slices of white bread will be delicious too. Ham. Gypsy ham or Black Forest ham are good options. Cheese. Gruyere cheese, Comte, Cheddar, or any good melting cheese with good flavor will work. For the béchamel sauce: Butter, flour, milk, salt and black pepper. I also add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard to the sauce and other flavorings like thyme, nutmeg and cayenne pepper can also be added. Adding cheese to the sauce will create a Mornay sauce which will also work perfectly.
How to make a Croque Madame
Make the béchamel by melting the butter in a small saucepan set over medium heat. Add the flour to make a roux and cook for a minute or two, stirring. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth then allow to cook for a few minutes until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Make the sandwich by layering the slices of ham and cheese on slices of buttered bread. Butter the outside of the bread then toast in a hot pan until golden brown. I prefer doing this in an oven-proof frying pan but you can also add the sandwiches to a sheet pan or baking sheet and brown them under the broiler. Spoon over the béchamel sauce and add a little more grated cheese then place in the oven and allow to broil for 5-6 minuted until golden brown and bubbling. In the meantime, fry the eggs in a hot pan until done to your preference. Once the sandwiches are ready, top with the eggs and serve.
Breakfast sandwich recipes
