Seems one day around the turn of the century, someone in Paris looked at the simple grilled cheese sandwich and thought “I should make that way more complex!”. Thing is, it’s also way more tasty … and versatile.  If you add a fried egg on top, you have the Croque Madame (named because the egg apparently looks like a ladies’ hat). A few more tweaks, you have the classic Reuben.

Let’s see how to makes this Parisien bistro classic

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 4 slices fresh bread, one that is light and airy
• 3 tbsp butter
• 4 oz shredded Gruyère cheese
• 2 slices Gruyère cheese
• 4 oz sliced ham
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tbsp flour (all-purpose)
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Our first step is creating a Béchamel sauce, as we’ve done before!

First, we melt 2 tbsp of butter in a sauce pan

Add flour to the melted butter

and the nutmeg

Stir together to create a roux

Slowly add warm milk until you have a smooth sauce.

I find a whisk is ideal for this!

Melt the remaining butter and bush it on one side of each slice of bread

Add 2 slices of bread, butter side down to a skillet over med-high heat

Get that Béchamel and spoon some on each piece of bread

Place the ham on top of the bread

now add the slices of cheese … see, this isn’t too hard!

Place the other slices, butter side UP on top

 

Grill both sides until nice and golden

Transfer the sandwiches to a baking pan or sheet

Spoon the remaining Béchamel sauce over the top of the sandwiches

Cover with the shredded cheese … use it ALL! (you will thank me for that)

Place this in the oven to broil …

Keep an eye on them … broil until the cheese has fully melted and started to brown slightly

Transfer to plates … eat!

So there you have it, the Croque Monsieur

Bon Apetit!