Fuss-free French fare
French food doesn't have to be fussy. Take these croque monsieur sandwiches, for example. They're a casual French favorite and are anything but difficult to make. Your family will love the cheesy goodness with warm ham, and you'll love the simplicity of getting together a terrific Sunday dinner.
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Your kids might get a kick out of the English translation of croque monsieur — it means "crunchy mister," and if you add a fried egg to the top of the sandwich, it becomes a croque madame — or "crunchy madam."
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Croque monsieur sandwiches
Yields 2 sandwiches
Ingredients:
- 1-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3-4 ounces shredded Gruyere cheese , plus an additional 1/4 cup
- 3-4 ounces sliced ham
- Rustic bread, like an Italian-style crusty bread, cut into 4 slices
- 1-2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. When the oven is hot, lightly toast the bread on a baking sheet, flipping once. Remove and set aside.
- Using a small saute pan, melt the butter over low heat, then add the flour. Stir constantly for about two minutes.
- Slowly add the milk to the mixture, whisking constantly, until the sauce thickens. When the sauce has thickened, remove it from the heat and add the salt, pepper, nutmeg and three to four ounces of shredded Gruyere cheese. Mix until the cheese has melted and set it aside. The sauce will be thick.
- Spread two slices of the bread with the Dijon mustard, then add a slice of ham and sprinkle evenly with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Top with the remaining slices of bread, then dollop the tops with the melted Gruyere mixture, spreading it evenly across the entire top.
- Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and under your oven's broiler, just until the cheese topping is lightly browned and bubbly.
Your family will love this French favorite!
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