Description
Croque Madame is a savory egg-topped sandwich that elevates your breakfast experience with layers of ham, Gruyère cheese, and a creamy béchamel sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 slices of your favorite bread (white or whole grain)
- 4 ounces of deli ham, thinly sliced
- 4 ounces of Gruyère cheese, shredded
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 4 large eggs
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute until it turns a light golden color, creating a roux.
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously, allowing the mixture to thicken for about 3-5 minutes. Incorporate the Dijon mustard and season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To create the sandwiches, lay out 2 slices of bread. On each slice, layer 2 ounces of ham followed by 2 ounces of Gruyère cheese. Top with another slice of bread to complete the sandwich.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and cook until they achieve a golden brown color on one side, roughly 3-4 minutes. Flip them over, adding another tablespoon of butter if needed, and cook the other side until golden.
- Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet. Drizzle the béchamel sauce over each sandwich and sprinkle the remaining Gruyère cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- While the sandwiches are baking, prepare the eggs in a separate skillet, frying them to your preferred doneness, with sunny-side up being the classic choice.
- Once the sandwiches are ready, take them out of the oven and place a fried egg on top of each. Finish with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a fresh touch before serving.
Notes
- For added flavor, consider including sautéed mushrooms or fresh spinach in the sandwich layers.
- Experiment with different cheeses, such as Swiss or cheddar, to create your own unique flavor combination.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking and Frying
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 200mg