Croque Madame
A classic French sandwich with ham, cheese, béchamel sauce, and a fried egg on top.
10 mins
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
2
Servings
Ingredients
- 4 slices of white bread
- 4 slices of ham
- 4 slices of Gruyère cheese
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Nutrition Facts
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Instructions
Make the béchamel sauce: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until smooth. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until thickened. Season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
Assemble the sandwiches: Spread béchamel sauce on one side of each bread slice. Layer ham and Gruyère cheese between two slices of bread.
Cook the sandwiches: Heat remaining butter in a skillet over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
Fry the eggs: In the same skillet, fry the eggs sunny-side up or to your preferred doneness.
Top the sandwiches: Place a fried egg on top of each sandwich.
Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your Croque Madame!
Chef's Tips
- Cheese Variations: You can use Emmental or Swiss cheese if Gruyère is not available.
- Bread Choice: Use thick slices of bread like brioche or sourdough for a better texture.
- Extra Flavor: Add a pinch of Dijon mustard to the béchamel sauce for extra flavor.
- Crispy Finish: For a crispy top, broil the sandwiches for 1-2 minutes after adding the cheese.
- Vegetarian Option: Replace ham with sautéed mushrooms or spinach for a vegetarian version.
