Croque monsieur

Croque Monsieur - A French Sandwich with Style

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4

I invite you to discover the classic recipe for Croque Monsieur, a delicious sandwich from French cuisine, perfect for a quick lunch or an elegant dinner. This dish consists of a sandwich with ham and cheese, topped with a creamy béchamel sauce that gives it a refined touch. Let's get started!

Ingredients:
- 8 slices of baguette or toast bread
- 200 g of pressed ham (preferably high-quality ham)
- 200 g of grated Gruyère or Emmental cheese
- 50 g of butter
- 50 g of flour
- 500 ml of milk
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg (optional)

Preparing the béchamel sauce:
1. Start by melting the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Make sure it doesn't brown, just melt completely.
2. Add the flour and mix well with a wooden spatula until the mixture becomes homogeneous, that is, the roux. Cook for about 1-2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
3. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Continue mixing until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg for extra flavor.

Assembling the Croque Monsieur:
1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C (grill).
2. On each slice of bread, place a slice of ham and a generous portion of grated cheese. Cover with another slice of bread, forming two sandwiches.
3. Place the sandwiches on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Pour the béchamel sauce over each sandwich, ensuring they are well covered.
4. Sprinkle additional grated cheese on top for a golden and crispy crust.

Baking:
1. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the top becomes golden and crispy. If you want a more browned crust, you can activate the grill function in the last 2-3 minutes of baking.

Serving:
Croque Monsieur is served hot, alongside a fresh green salad drizzled with lemon dressing, which will perfectly contrast with the richness of the sandwich. This dish is ideal to be enjoyed with a glass of dry white wine or a craft beer.

Possible variations:
For an original twist, you can transform this sandwich into a Croque Madame by adding a fried egg on top. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as Cheddar or goat cheese, or add ingredients like arugula or tomatoes for an extra freshness.

This Croque Monsieur is more than just a sandwich; it is a culinary experience that will transport you straight to the romantic streets of Paris. Try it and enjoy every bite!

 Ingredients: 10 slices of toast bread, about 60 g of butter, 5 slices of ham, 150 g of grated cheese (I used Gouda) and a béchamel sauce made from: about 20 g of butter, one tablespoon of flour, 150 g of milk, a pinch of salt.