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Croque Madame

Print Recipe
a croque madame sliced in half on a blue plate
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
1 minute
Total Time:31 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 sauce pan preferably heavy-bottomed
  • 1 Wooden spoon
  • 1 kitchen scale optional
  • 1 cheese grater
  • 1 baking tray optional: lined with parchment paper
  • 1 Skillet

Ingredients

  • 4 slices of white bread
  • 4 slices of ham
  • 1½ cups of Gruyère cheese 150 grams
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter 15 grams
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 15 grams
  • ⅔ cups of milk 160 ml
  • salt, pepper, herbs to taste
  • 2 eggs

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C).
  • Melt 1 tbsp of butter in a small pot over medium heat. Once melted, add 2 tbsp of flour and stir with a wooden spoon or spatula to form a roux.
  • Let the roux cook for 2-3 minutes, then season with salt, pepper, and Herbes de Provence, if desired.
  • Gradually add ⅔ cup of milk, a little at a time, allowing the roux to fully absorb each addition before adding more. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  • Place two slices of bread on a baking tray. Spread a few tablespoons of the béchamel sauce on each slice.
  • Layer one slice of ham and ¾ cup of the grated cheese (about half of the cheese) on top of the sauce.
  • Cover with the remaining 2 bread slices and top with more béchamel sauce and the rest of the cheese.
  • Bake the sandwiches in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
  • While the sandwiches are baking, fry two eggs sunny-side-up in a pan.
  • Once the sandwiches are ready, place a fried egg on top of each one. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • You can use Emmental, Comté, or a mild aged cheddar as a substitute for the Gruyère cheese.
  • Spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard on the bread before layering the ham and cheese to switch things up a bit.
  • Swap the ham for sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or grilled zucchini for a vegetarian twist.
  • The white sauce (béchamel) is what makes this more than just a grilled cheese. It’s worth the extra step!
  • You can assemble the sandwiches and refrigerate (without baking) for a few hours. Just add sauce and cheese right before baking.
  • Pair with a green side salad or simple vinaigrette for a classic French-style lunch.
  • Add a touch of truffle oil to the sauce or top with chopped fresh herbs after baking for a deluxe version of this recipe.