Recipe for Grilled Ham and Cheese Croque Monsieur

A sophisticated French grilled sandwich featuring savory ham and a rich, creamy Bechamel sauce.

Ingredients

Bechamel

• 30g unsalted butter
• 30g flour
• 250ml whole milk
• 1g nutmeg
• 2g salt

Sandwich

• 4 thick slices of brioche
• 4 slices of high-quality ham
• 150g Gruyere cheese, grated
• 20g Dijon mustard

Preparation

Sauce

1. Melt 30g butter in a pan, whisk in 30g flour for 1 minute, then gradually add 250ml milk
2. Simmer for 5 minutes until thick, then season with salt and nutmeg and set aside
3. Toast the bread slices under a broiler for 2 minutes per side until lightly golden

Assembly

1. Spread Dijon mustard on two slices, then layer with ham and half of the grated Gruyere
2. Top with the remaining bread, spread a thick layer of Bechamel over the top, and sprinkle with more cheese
3. Grill at 200 Celsius for 10 minutes until the topping is bubbling and brown

Tips

• Use Gruyere or Comté cheese for an authentic nutty flavor that melts perfectly into the sauce
• Toasting the bread before assembling prevents the sandwich from becoming soggy under the heavy sauce
• Add a fried egg on top of the finished sandwich to transform it into a Croque Madame