How To Make Croque Monsieur
INGREDIENTS
- 12 ounces gruyere, grated (5 cups)
- 16 slices white bread, crusts removed
- 1 pinch nutmegCroque Monsieur
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1⁄2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 cups hot milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 8 ounces baked Virginia ham, sliced but not paper thin
- Dijon mustard
DIRECTIONS:
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Step 2
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the flour all at once and stir with a wooden spoon for 2 minutes.
Step 3
Slowly pour the hot milk into the butter-flour mixture, while whisking constantly. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens.
Step 4
Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the salt, pepper, nutmeg, 1/2 cup grated Gruyere, and Parmesan cheese. Set the sauce aside.
Step 5
Place the bread slices on 2 baking sheets and toast them in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Flip each slice and bake for an additional 2 minutes, until they are toasted.
Step 6
Lightly brush half of the toasted bread slices with mustard. Place a slice of ham on each of these slices and sprinkle with half of the remaining Gruyere cheese. Top with another piece of toasted bread.
Step 7
Spoon the cheese sauce generously over the top of the sandwiches. Sprinkle the remaining Gruyere cheese on top.
Step 8
Bake the sandwiches for 5 minutes. Then, turn on the broiler and broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, or until the topping is bubbly and lightly browned.
Step 9
Serve the sandwiches hot.
