The Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich that's genius in its simplicity. All it is is a buttered toasted sandwich with cheese and ham in the middle and more cheese on top, but the way it's perfectly crispy and oh so indulgent makes it one of the most loved sandwiches in the world. But you don't need to travel all the way to France to try this delectable treat. Just make it at home, and you'll have a piece of Paris on your very own plate.
And of course, the Monsieur is not alone. Click here to try the Croque Madame.
Ingredients for Croque Monsieur Sandwich:
Method of preparing the Croque Monsieur Sandwich:
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Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Move the oven rack to the upper third of the oven.
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Prepare the bechamel sauce. To do so, melt the butter in a saucepan on medium, then whisk in the flour until it's smooth and slightly darker, no more than 1-2 minutes. Continue stirring continuously while you slowly drizzle in the milk. Let the sauce come to a simmer and continue whisking until the sauce thickens - about 3-5 minutes.
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Take the saucepan off of the heat, then mix in the Dijon mustard, nutmeg, a pinch of salt, and pepper until fully incorporated.
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Line a baking dish with parchment paper. Arrange 4 thick slices of bread on the baking dish and spread 2 tablespoons of the sauce on each slice. Place a slice of ham on each piece of bread, followed by a generous sprinkle of the cheese (about half of it).
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Cover the sandwiches with the remaining slices of bread. Spread 2 more tablespoons of the sauce onto the top slices of bread as well, and sprinkle on top with the leftover cheese.
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Bake in the oven until the bread is crispy on the sides and the cheese is melted and starts to brown. This will take around 15 minutes. Switch the oven to broil and continue baking the sandwiches until they're golden brown, no more than 3 minutes.
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Let the sandwiches rest for 5 minutes before serving. Consume fresh.
Source: Thekitchn.com