CROQUE MONSIEUR

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Croque Monsieur image

The croque monsieur-literally "mister crunch"-is at the elegant end of the grilled cheese spectrum. First served in 1910 at a Paris cafe, this ham sandwich with rich bechamel sauce is topped with cheese and then grilled under the broiler.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Pork Recipes

Yield Makes 4 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for spreading, room temperature
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of freshly ground black pepper
8 slices rustic French or firm white sandwich bread
1/4 cup Dijon or whole-grain mustard
1/2 pound cooked ham, thinly sliced
1/3 pound Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced, plus 1 cup freshly grated (about 2 ounces)

Steps:

  • Make bechamel sauce: Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until just starting to bubble. Add flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until smooth but not browned, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisking constantly, slowly add milk; continue cooking while whisking until mixture has thickened, about 3 minutes more. Remove from heat, and add salt, nutmeg, cayenne, and black pepper. Transfer to a bowl; place plastic wrap directly on surface of sauce, and set aside.
  • Heat broiler. Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat. Smear one side of bread slices with mustard. Top 4 slices with a layer each of ham and cheese; cover with remaining 4 bread slices, pressing gently to adhere. Generously butter outer sides, spreading it all the way to the edges.
  • Place sandwiches on griddle or in skillet. Cook until golden brown and cheese has melted, 3 to 4 minutes a side. Transfer to work surface; divide bechamel sauce evenly over tops, spreading to edges; sprinkle with grated cheese.
  • Transfer to broiler, and cook until topping is melted and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately.

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